Embassy of India Ankara India-Turkey Relations Executive Summary: India-Turkey bilateral relations have been traditionally friendly, cordial and have been influenced by several factors. There are deep historical connections between India and Turkey. The first exchange of diplomatic missions between Ottoman Sultan and the Muslim rulers of the sub-continent dates back to the years 1481-82. However, after the 16th century, Ottoman relations with India became infrequent and of relatively minor importance since the two great Sunni Muslim rulers were too remote to be of interest to one another either as allies or as rivals. India and Turkey have a great cultural overlap. The Turkic impact on India in areas such as culture and civilization, art and architecture and costumes and cuisine was considerable. For example, the Ottoman Architect Mimar Yusuf, disciple of the great Mimar Sinan went to India and entered the service of Akbar. He is reputed to have had some hand in the buildings in Agra and Delhi. The names of one of India’s great languages, Urdu, can be traced to the Turkish language. The Sufi philosophy of Mevlana Jelaluddin Rumi found a natural resonance in the Indian sub-continent with its own traditions of Sufism and the Bhakti movement. More recent historical contacts between India and Turkey were reflected in the medical mission led by renowned Indian freedom fighter, Dr. M.A. Ansari, to Turkey in 1912 during the Balkan Wars. One of his companions, Abdur Rahman stayed on in Turkey and was later Kemal Ataturk’s envoy to Kabul. India also extended support in 1920s to Turkey’s War of Independence and formation of the republic. An amount of 106,400 British Pounds were sent by India which was used for emergency needs of the Turkish army, for reconstruction of the city of Izmir (after it was burnt down by the Greek army), formation of the Iş Bank and for buying land and developing food and beverage factories on the forest farm of Ataturk. Turkey and India are both secular democracies, based on ethnic, religious and linguistic plurality, although the ruling AK Party government has been criticised especially since its June 2011 electoral victory for several moves that are taking Turkey away from the path of secularism and democracy. Having a Customs Union with EU, Turkey can be a bridgehead for Indian exports to Europe through Turkey. India and Turkey have a great potential for economic and commercial interactions with the success of market reforms on both sides. There are opportunities in sectors like energy, infrastructure, services as well as science and technology. As members of the G-20, both countries have a role to play in the international economic processes. India and Turkey have a shared interest in the stability and security of Afghanistan and Central Asia. In the light of the above, the possibility of improving relations between India and Turkey are good, particularly with India’s emergence as a major power with considerable influence on the world scene. India’s impressive economic growth and nuclear status have also attracted Turkish 1 attention. Turkey has begun to view India as possible source of high technology and a useful economic partner. High level visits: India to Turkey Presidents, Vice Presidents, Prime Ministers Name of the dignitary Year Remarks 1 H.E. Shri Jawaharlal Nehru, PM 1960 (first) 2. H.E. Dr. Zakir Hussein, Vice President 1965 3. H.E. Shri Rajiv Gandhi, PM 1988 4. H.E. Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma, 1993 President 5. H.E. Mr. K.R. Narayanan, President 1998 Agreements on (a) Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection, (b) Prevention of Illicit Trafficking in Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances (c) MOU between CSIR and Turkish Science and Technology Research Institute (TUBITAK) and MOU Between National Centre of Trade Promotion and Export Promotion Centre of Turkey were signed 6. H.E. Shri Krishan Kant, Vice President 1998 Represented India at the 75th anniversary celebration of the Turkish Republic. 7. H.E. Shri A.B. Vajpayee, PM 2003 50 ITEC Scholarship announcement for Turkish Scholars 8. H.E. Shri M.H. Ansari, Vice President Oct 2011 Bilateral discussions with the President, Speaker of Parliament, PM and FM of Turkey Other Ministers: 1. H.E. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad 1951 Agreement Concerning Cultural Education Minister Relations 2. H.E. Shri Sardar Swaran Singh, 1970 Foreign Minister 3. H.E. Shri Y.B. Chavan, FM 1976 4. H.E. Shri Yashawant Sinha, FM 2003 5. H.E. Shri L.K. Advani, Deputy PM and 2001 Extradition treaty signed Home Minister 2 6. H.E. Shri Shahnawaz Hussain, MOS 2002 for Civil Aviation, May 7. H.E. Shri Vinod Khanna, MOS for 2002 Culture and Tourism, Sep 8. H.E. Shri Mani Shankar Aiyer, Minister 2005 of Petroleum, 9. Shri M.K. Narayanan, National 2008 July Special envoy of the PM to seek Security Advisor to the Govt of India Turkish support in ths NSG for the Indo-US nuclear deal 10. H.E. Prof. Saifuddin Soz, Minister for 2009, To attend 5th World Water Forum Water Resources g March held in Istanbul 11. H.E. Shri Anand Sharma, MOS for 2009 To attend 2nd Forum of the UN external Affairs and Information and April Alliance of Civilizations held in Broadcasting Istanbul 12. H.E. Shri Anand Sharma, Minister of 2009 Sep To attend 9th Session of the JECTC Commerce and Industry 13. H.E. Shri Pranab Mukherjee, Finance 2009 Oct. To attend annual meetings of the Minister IMF 14. H.E. Shri Prafulla Patel, MOS for Civil 2009 Oct To attend inauguration of the new Aviation international terminal at Sabiha Gokcen International Airport, Istanbul 15. H.E. Shri Dayanidhi Maran, Minister of Nov 2009 Textile road show held Textiles 16. H.E. Shri Pawan Kumar Bansal, Jan 2010 Goodwill Multiparty Parliamentary Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Delegation Water Resources and H.E. V. Narayanasamy MOS for Parliamentary Affairs, Planning and Culture 17. H.E. Shri. Anand Sharma, Minister of June To attend CICA Summit as Special Commerce and Industry 2010 Envoy of the Indian PM 18. H.E. Shri Jyodiraditya Scindia, Feb 2011 To inaugurate the ‘India Show’ in Minister of State for Commerce & Istanbul Industry 19. H.E. Sushilkumar Shinde, Hon’ble Apr 2012 To attend World Energy Leaders Minister of Power Summit 20. H.E. Mr. Kapil Sibal May LDC’s Conference in Istanbul Minister of HRD 2011 21. H.E. Mr. S.M. Krishna May LDC’s Conference in Istanbul EAM 2011 22. H.E. Mr. S.M. Krishna Nov 2011 Istanbul Conference on Afghanistan EAM 23. H.E. Mr. Ajay Maken, MoS (IK), Youth June For signing MoU on cooperation in Affairs and Sports 2012 Youth Affairs & Sports 24. H.E.Saugata Roy, Hon’ble MOS, June Study Tour (Urban Transport) Urban Development 2012 25. H.E. Dr Farooq Abdullah, Hon’ble June For bilateral meetings on 3 Minister for New & Renewable Energy 2013 cooperation 26. H.E. Mr. Salman Khurshid, Hon’ble 23-25 For bilateral meetings Minister fro External Affairs (EAM) July 2013 B. Turkey to India President and Prime Minister Name of the Dignitary Year Remarks 1. H.E. Mr. Turgut Ozal, PM 1986 Civil Aviation agreement signed 2. H.E. Mr. Kenan Evren, President 1989 3. H.E. Mr. Suleyman Demirel, President 1995 Two agreements signed – Avoidance of Double Taxation and on Tourism 4. H.E. Mr. Bulent Ecevit, PM 2000 MOU on Cooperation in the Agricultural Sector 5. H.E. Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, 2008 Agreed to double the volume of Prime Minister bilateral trade from USD 2 billion to H.E. Mr. Mehmet Aydin, State Minister USD 4 billion by 2012. H.E. Mr. Zafer Caglayan, Minister of Industry and Commerce, H.E. Hilmi Guler, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, H.E. Egemen Bagis, member of Parliament and Deputry Chairman of AK Party 6. H.E. Mr. Abdullah Gul 2010 Joint Declarations on Terrorism as President well as Cooperation in the field of H.E. Mr. Mehmet Aydin State Minister Science and Technology were issued. H.E.Mr. Binali Yildirim, Transport Honorary Doctorate awarded to Hon. Minister President by Amity University H.E. Recep Akdag, Health Minister Other Ministers: 1. H.E. Mr. Ihsan Sabri Caglayangil, FM 1968 2. H.E. Mr. Umit Haluk Bayulken, FM 1973 3. H.E. Mr. Gunduz Okcun, FM 1978 4. H.E. Prof. (Dr.) Enis Oksuz, 2000 MOU on cooperation in the Railway Transport Minister sector signed 5. H.E. Mr. Hikmet Sami Turk, 2002 Justice Minister 4 6. H.E. Mr. Hilmi Guler, Minister of 2005 MOU on cooperation in the Energy and Natural Resources Nov Hydrocarbon Sector signed, first meeting of the joint working group on hydrocarbons was also held. 7. H.E. Mr. Besir Alatay, MOS 2006 Second regional economic Nov conference on Afghanistan held in ND 8. H.E. Mr. Attlila Koc, Tourism Minister 2006 Tourism promotion Nov 9. H.E. Mr. Faruk Nafiz Ozak, Minister of 2006 Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Public Works and Housing Dec Housing and Human Settlements 10. H.E. Mr. Faruk Nafiz Ozak, Minister of 2007 Second Asian Ministerial Conference Public Works and Housing Nov on Disaster Reduction 11. H.E. Mr. Ali Babacan, FM 2008 Agreement of Mutual exemption of Feb visas for diplomats 12. H.E. Mr. Kursad Tuzmen 2008 Trade Promotion State Minister of Foreign Trade March 13. H.E. Mr.Vecdi Gonul 2010 To attend Defexpo2010. Also met Defence Minister Feb Defence Minister H.E. Mr.A.K.Antony 14. H.E. Mr.Mehdi Eker, Minister of June Met H.E. Mr. Sharad Pawar, Indian Agriculture 2010 Agriculture Minister 15.