🌏 International
India sends an official to Türkiye's national day event, a year after skipping it
In 60 seconds: India sent an official to Türkiye's national day celebration in New Delhi on Thursday, a year after staying away. Alpana Dubey, Joint Secretary for Southern Europe in the External Affairs Ministry, attended as chief guest with Turkish Ambassador Ali Murat Ersoy. Ties had soured after Türkiye backed Pakistan during Operation Sindoor in 2025. The gesture comes as India also works to steady relations with Azerbaijan.
Why it matters
A small diplomatic gesture can signal a thaw. India is also steadying ties with Azerbaijan, where it has large oil and gas investments.
Explain it simply
After a quarrel, neighbours don't hug at once; one first accepts the other's invitation to a festival chai. This is that first chai.
The 3-minute read
What happened
A Joint Secretary-level official from the MEA was chief guest at the Turkish embassy's national day event in New Delhi on 29 October, reversing last year's boycott.
Background
After Operation Sindoor, President Erdogan met Pakistan's PM Shehbaz Sharif and Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev together. Erdogan has also raised Jammu and Kashmir at the UN General Assembly in several speeches since 2019.
How it works
Who attends national day receptions, and at what level, is a common way for countries to signal the state of relations without formal statements.
What's next
India is working to stabilise ties with both Türkiye and Azerbaijan. Jaishankar visited Baku on 23 October, his first standalone trip there since 2019.
What it means for you
Diplomacy often moves in small, symbolic steps. Watching such signals helps explain bigger shifts in India's foreign policy.
Key numbers
- 1 year: Gap since India skipped the event
- 7: UNGA speeches in which Erdogan raised J&K since 2019
- 23 Oct: Jaishankar's visit to Baku
Both sides
- Supporters of the thaw: Restoring basic courtesy keeps channels open and helps India protect its interests in the region.
- Sceptics: Türkiye's support for Pakistan during Operation Sindoor has not changed, so warmth should be limited.
Key terms explained
- Operation Sindoor
- India's May 2025 military strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir after the Pahalgam attack.
- Joint Secretary
- A senior officer rank in a Union ministry, below Additional Secretary and Secretary.
The story so far
- May 2025: India launches Operation Sindoor after the Pahalgam terror attack; Türkiye backs Pakistan. India struck terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Pakistan's military used Turkish drones, and Ankara accused India of 'unprovoked aggression'.
- Oct 2025: No Indian official attends Türkiye's national day event in Delhi. Indian officials were formally told to skip the 2025 celebration, a signal of displeasure over Türkiye's support for Pakistan.
- Today: India sends MEA official to Türkiye's national day event after skipping it in 2025
Exam notes (UPSC, SSC, Banking, PSC)
- The Republic of Türkiye was proclaimed on 29 October 1923 under Mustafa Kemal Atatürk; the day is its national day.
- Türkiye is a NATO member and its capital is Ankara.
- Operation Sindoor (May 2025) followed the Pahalgam terror attack of 22 April 2025.
- Cyprus has been divided since 1974, with Türkiye backing the Turkish Cypriot north.
Likely exam question: How has Türkiye's closeness to Pakistan shaped India–Türkiye relations? How is India responding in the region?