Recent geopolitical events have cast a spotlight on India's delicate balancing act in foreign policy, particularly its relationships with Turkey and China. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has articulated clear stances on both fronts, emphasizing the importance of mutual sensitivities and trust in building stable and productive bilateral ties.

India-Turkey Relations: A Strain on Sensitivities

The relationship between India and Turkey has recently experienced a significant downturn. This stems primarily from Turkey's perceived support for Pakistan, especially in the wake of a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam that claimed the lives of 26 tourists. India responded with precision strikes on terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK), and Turkey's explicit support for Pakistan during this period has sparked widespread outrage in India.

This perceived bias from Ankara, coupled with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's repeated calls for a multilateral solution to the Kashmir dispute, has led to a strong backlash. The response has manifested in several ways, including a grassroots boycott campaign targeting Turkish goods and services. Major Indian travel platforms have suspended Turkish promotions, and Indian traders have begun rejecting Turkish products. The Indian civil aviation ministry even revoked the security clearance of a Turkish ground-handling company, citing national security concerns.

The MEA has conveyed a firm message to Turkey, emphasizing that relations are built on the basis of sensitivities to each other's concerns. India expects Turkey to strongly urge Pakistan to end its support for cross-border terrorism and take verifiable actions against the terror ecosystem it has allegedly harbored. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri has stated that Turkey's support for Pakistan was not surprising, and he doesn't foresee a normalization of relations in the near future.

This situation marks a stark contrast to the historically cordial relations between India and Turkey, which have been defined by shared civilizational ties, mutual trade interests, and diplomatic engagement. While trade between the two countries has flourished, the current strain could result in massive losses for both economies. Some experts believe that the crisis is not beyond repair, but it requires deliberate and delicate efforts from both sides to untangle the current issues.

India-China Relations: Building on Mutual Trust

In contrast to the situation with Turkey, India's relationship with China is currently focused on rebuilding trust and fostering cooperation. Despite past tensions, including the Galwan Valley clashes in 2020, both countries have taken steps to stabilize their relationship.

A significant step forward was the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Kazan, Russia, in October 2024. This meeting set the direction for improving bilateral relations. Both sides agreed that as two ancient civilizations and neighboring major countries, China and India should trust, support, and achieve mutual success with each other.

Since then, exchanges at all levels have steadily resumed. The special representatives for the border issue have reached a consensus on properly handling specific differences. India and China are also planning to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, aiming to inject new momentum into the development of bilateral ties.

The MEA has highlighted several initiatives aimed at improving India-China relations, including the resumption of trade through the Nathula border, cooperation on trans-border rivers, enhanced border management, and renewed efforts to promote cultural, educational, and tourism exchanges. A key development is the planned resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, a pilgrimage of immense religious significance for Hindus, Jains, and Buddhists, which had been suspended in recent years.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri has emphasized that a durable base for rebuilding ties must be based on mutual respect, mutual sensitivity, and mutual interest. He also noted that peace and tranquility on the border areas are critical for the smooth development of overall bilateral relations.

While challenges remain, including China's attempts to rename places in Arunachal Pradesh, both India and China appear committed to moving their relationship onto a more stable and predictable path.