In recent times especially post 2019 Lok-Sabha elections, PM Narendra Modi led Government is heavily criticised for its domestic policies which include the implementation of CAA, the process of indulging in provocative speeches, slowing economic growth as well as practising communal politics. In all these cases they might be rightly criticised as they directly impact the lives of the citizens. But irrespective of the domestic criticism, it seems like PM Modi is doing quiet well when it comes to advocating for India’s interests in international arena,especially on the topic of Kashmir.
When it comes to Kashmir, it is well known how Pakistan has tried to create tensions in the valley but at present, it has got the support of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan who has supported Pakistan not only on the Kashmir but also at FATF meetings.https://www.firstpost.com/world/fatf-to-keep-pakistan-in-grey-list-with-support-from-turkey-malaysia-say-reports-islamabad-sentenced-hafiz-saeed-week-ahead-of-watchdogs-meeting-8055931.html
Although Turkish President Erdogan has generally been cautious with India but recently while his visit to Pakistan, he had made certain remarks regarding Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir. Indian Government was quick to hit out these remarks, in a strong demarche to Turkey’s ambassador to India Sakir Torunlar, the government warned Turkey’s actions will have serious implications for its bilateral ties with India.https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/remarks-will-hit-ties-india-warns-turkey/articleshow/74183097.cms
For almost decades, India shared good relations with Turkey but there were always concerns due to Turkey’s support to Pakistan. But since Erdogan’s term as President, India has shared more of a complicated relationship as he has been seen as a constant supporter of Pakistani perspective mostly on Kashmir. Hence in my opinion in order to tackle such forces we do need an equally capable leader. https://www.newindianexpress.com/thesundaystandard/2020/feb/16/india—turkey-relations-ties-strained-over-kashmir-issue-but-not-sour-2103954.html
The MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said “recent episode is but one more example of a pattern of Turkey interfering in the internal affairs of other countries.”https://thewire.in/external-affairs/india-erdogan-turkey-kashmir If we go through Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s background, he too is seen as a conservative leader who looks for their nation’s interests and has ambitions of projecting Turkey as the leader of Muslim World, so if such kind of individual is trying to question India’s sovereignty, it becomes necessary for Indian Government to give a necessary reply. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/08/opinion/turkey-nationalism-right-wing.html
In 2019,India was one of the countries who had strongly condemned the unilateral Turkish military action in Syria and urged then to exercise restraint. By doing this India may have signalled that Turkey is not in the position of telling India regarding the revocation of article 370 and even in other occasions when the Turkish President questioned India’s actions, the Indian Government has always countered their allegations.
In my opinion, even Turkish military actions against the Kurds are questionable but still talking about Kashmir shows that they just want to fulfil their interests in Asian continent.https://www.cfr.org/interactive/global-conflict-tracker/conflict/conflict-between-turkey-and-armed-kurdish-groups
With the changing global alliances and each country trying to fulfil their vested interests at a time when India’s profile is growing in international politics, it is necessary for Indian Government to ramp up its defences and offences to tackle the external forces challenging India’s internal sovereignty.