India Skips Turkey's National Day Celebrations Amid Diplomatic Strain
India has decided not to participate in Turkey’s National Day celebrations this year as a strong diplomatic signal against Turkey's pro-Pakistan stance. This move comes amid worsening India-Turkey relations, primarily due to Turkey’s criticism of India’s Kashmir policy and its support for Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. India’s absence marks a notable cooling in bilateral ties.
In a significant diplomatic development, India has chosen to abstain from sending any official representatives to Turkey’s National Day celebrations, a departure from last year when a secretary-level delegation was sent. This decision underscores India's growing frustration over Turkey’s alignment with Pakistan, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s open support for Pakistani leaders and continuous criticism of India’s Kashmir policy on international platforms such as the United Nations General Assembly. The move represents a clear message from New Delhi disapproving of Ankara’s repeated interventions in what India considers an internal matter. Additionally, India’s recent diplomatic gestures, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Cyprus—a nation with geopolitical tensions with Turkey—further indicate a shift in India’s foreign policy approach and a deepening chill in India-Turkey relations. Overall, the absence from the National Day celebrations is a symbolic yet potent expression of mounting bilateral tensions fueled by security concerns and diverging political stances on regional conflicts.
