As per latest reports, Turkey is on the Modi government’s radar for trade curbs after the Turkish President, Erdogan took a pro-Pakistan stance, interfering in India’s internal matter.
According to a Reuters report, India is planning to cut oil and steel imports from Turkey. In fact, sources say that there are suggestions for some restrictions on Turkish imports.
It is relevant to mention here that last year during the United Nations General Assembly session, Erdogan had toed Pakistan line on Kashmir even as Imran Khan made all possible attempts to internationalise Modi government’s decision of abrogating Article 370.
During his speech, Erdogan had said, “Despite the resolutions adopted, Kashmir is still besieged and eight million people are stuck in Kashmir.” He had added, In order for the Kashmiri people to look at a safe future together with their Pakistani and Indian neighbours, it is imperative to solve the problem through dialogue and on the basis of justice and equity, but not through collision.”
The remarks had not gone down well with India, and India had then retorted with soft diplomatic replies as PM Modi met the Armenia PM Nikol Pashinyan and Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades on the sidelines of the UNGA session.
However, Ankara has not really mend its ways, and the Erdogan led country even held hosted an international conference on Kashmir titled, ‘Kashmir Turmoil: Emerging Threats to Peace and Role of International Community’, with the help of Pakistan, in a clear attempt to meddle into India’s internal affairs.
The event was full of anti-India rhetoric expressed by Pakistanis, and Pakistan Senator, Sherry Rehman even went on to claim, “India is trying to redefine the global order […] It is doing it by use of power, not soft power.” Rehman said India’s unilateral actions in Kashmir is a “slap on the face of the international community and United Nations”.
All this while Erdogan did not understand that he was flirting with danger. He probably miscalculated India’s diplomatic capital and intent. With the Modi government at the helm of affairs, countries trying to insult India are being made to pay in terms of dire economic consequences.
Only a few days ago, the Modi government took a bold decision of restricting imports of refined palm oil and palmolein. The move is expected to hurt Malaysia substantially, which seems poised to face major losses due to the restrictions imposed by India.
Modi government has made it clear that no country will get away with questioning India’s sovereignty. Erdogan’s utterances and actions have been particularly objectionable. And now India had made up its mind to make Turkey pay for his words and actions.
Even last year, India had taken similar action against Turkish defence company Anadolu Shipyard, barring the company from entering the Indian defence market. However, Turkey did not learn its lessons even after a diplomatic tussle with India following its provocative remarks on Kashmir. But now India has made it clear that economic consequences will follow as Turkey is on Modi government’s radar for imposition of trade curbs.