Despite differences on Kashmir issue, India-Turkey agree to strengthen trade ties

Despite the notable differences on the Kashmir issue, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan were able to find common ground on a number of issues, namely curbing of terrorism and the need to boost trade.

On a positive note, Erdogan condemned the Chhattisgarh Maoist attack of April 24 — where over 24 CRPF jawans were killed — and assured Modi of his country's full support in the fight against terrorism. Speaking about the Sukhma attack he said, "Turkey will always be by the side of India in full solidarity while battling terrorism... And terrorists will be drowned in the blood they shed."

Speaking about the bilateral visit, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Gopal Baglay said there was an understanding between New Delhi and Ankara that terrorism was a menace and needed resolute condemnation and opposition, no matter, wherever and by whosoever and whichever place it is committed. "There is no justification to terrorism activities, whatever goal they may peruse," the MEA spokesperson quoted the leaders as having agreed to during the meeting. He added that Erdogan had said, "No intent or goal or reason or rationale can validate terrorism."

Meanwhile, on the economic front, both leaders observed that India and Turkey were two large economies which presented an enormous opportunity to expand and deepen commercial linkages. Modi and Erdogan stated their commitment to take trade volume to 10 billion US dollars by 2020. Currently, it stands at 6.5 billion US dollars.

Erdogan also emphasised that countries will look at ways to expand cooperation in the fast growing energy and infrastructure sectors, in particular. And after the bilateral meeting, the two sides exchanged three pacts, including one between their telecom authorities.

Earlier in the day, when addressing the India-Turkey Business Summit in the Capital, Prime Minister Modi said that since coming to power in this very month three years ago, the government had launched several initiatives to reform the economy and administrative processes. He invited Turkey to participate in the government's two flagship programmes — Make in India and Smart City projects.

Referring to opportunities in India, Modi said the country plans to build 50 million houses by 2022, metro rail projects in 50 cities and high-speed trains in various national corridors.

"I know that Turkish construction companies have successfully undertaken many construction and infrastructure projects in other countries. Our infrastructure requirements are enormous, including core as well as social and industrial infrastructure," he said.

Turkey's expertise in construction is in full display just across the borders, where they have rebuilt a city of Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, post the 2005 earthquake. The city is now nicknamed 'Mini-Istanbul', with its pencil minarets and Turkish architecture.

On the issue of terrorism, Prime Minister Modi had stressed the need to work to disrupt the terrorist networks and their financing and put a stop to cross border movement of terrorists, a reference to Pakistan-backed infiltration in Kashmir. On the other hand, the Turkish President mentioned the US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen and his organisation, which he called (FETO) in his speech, and described it as a terrorist organisation. Erdogan said that he expected India would take steps to ban their activities and expel them.

"We are telling all our friends about the dangers that FETO poses. This group is present in 100 countries," he said, notably skipping any reference to cross border terrorism. In West Asia, Syria is currently blaming Turkey for promoting cross-border terrorism in the region, by sending its forces into Damascus' territory to help opposition groups.

'We need a Free Trade Agreement'

Turkish President Erdogan called for a free trade agreement with India to expand the ambit of bilateral economic ties. Currently trade between the two countries has gone up to $6.4 billion in 2016, from $2.8 billion in 2008, which Erdogan believed was not enough.

"While this is encouraging, the level of present economic and commercial relations is not enough against the real potential," he said.

Erdogan also suggested that the two nations explore the possibility of trade in local currency to deal with exchange rate fluctuations. He added that Turkey's exports to India were $ 652 million and imports from India stood at $5,752 million. This imbalance in trade needed to be rectified, he emphasized.