Part -II
Glimpses
of Erdogan’s ideology has been evident from the way he championed the likes of
Muslim Brotherhood (MB) and Jamaat-e-Islam (JI), which carries out violent
attacks against minorities in South Asia. JI started by Syed Abdul Ala Maududi
in 1941 served as ideological fount in advancing partition and Islamist
Movement. It turned into a platform to recruit terrorists. Erdogan strongly
defended actions of JI and condemned Bangladesh for executing its operatives.
With the
blessings of Erdogan, in 2005 Turkey created Istanbul based-Union of NGOs of
Islamic World (UNIW) to create “Ummah consciousness”. It has 340
organisations spread in 65 countries under its ambit. Helping Hand for Relief
and Development (HHRD) and Kashmir Action Council (KAC) are the US-based wings
of UNIW. HHRD has close ties with Falah-i-Insaniyat, the charitable arm of LeT
responsible for 2008 blasts and Hizbul Mujahideen (HuM) headed by Syed
Salahuddin architect of several attacks in India. KAC close ties with deep
state Pakistan and its role in influencing American policy on Kashmir is well
known. Director of KAC, Gulam Nabi Fai who served 16 months for receiving $3.5
million has close ties with JI, instrumental in introducing Wahhabi Islam in
Kashmir.
Fai, currently
a board member of UNIW is pursuing Kashmir issue through World Kashmir
Awareness Forum. UNIW includes several media agencies and think-tanks to
advance Islamist agenda. Erdogan’s daughter Sumeye Erdogan is vice-head of
Women and Democracy Association (KADEM). Turkey is penetrating the American society
through JI’s proxy group Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA). The scale and spread of the Turkey funded
terror operative is on a rise. In October, Russian envoy at UN, accused Turkey
of dividing terrorists into good and bad and supporting Hayat Tahrir-al-Sham
(HTS), new incarnation of Al Nusra. While Pakistan is the fountain head of terror,
Turkey is abetting terror through financial support.
Turkey is
wooing Indian Muslims who harbour a special fascination towards the erstwhile
Muslim Caliphate. Getting ready to brace the mantle of Ottoman Empire, Turkey
is reaching out radical Muslim clerics in India. Lucknow Imam Sheikh Salman
Al-Husaini Al-Nadwi, who created a controversy for condoning ISIS and later
retracted his statement following intense backlash is found to have close ties
with AK Party of Erdogan. Through the think-tank South Asia Strategic Research
Centre (GASAM) started by Pakistani-educated a deputy minister, Turkey is
arranging trips for Indian Muslims to Istanbul extolling Caliphate idea. Hefty
scholarships are offered to Indian Muslims to pursue education at institutions setup
at the behest of Erdogan. Nadwi’s son Yunus who is studying in Turkey is a
regular panellist in conferences organised by GASAM. Similarly, charitable
institution, TURGEV set up by Erdogan foundation is found to be backing Kolkata
Muslims protesting Triple Talaq. Unlike
Saudi Arabia, Turk’s moderate Islam of being acceptable to both Barelvi and
Deobandi Muslims.
Controversial
Indian cleric Zakir Naik delivered lecture at Turkish Youth Foundation (TUGVA)
managed by Erdogan’s son Bilal Erdogan and established links with Turkish
government. The Turkish Embassies in Hyderabad, Mumbai are working overtime to
connect Indian Clerics with global jihadists and supporting their activities
through a slew of NGOs. Nadwi is seen sitting next to global jihadist Yildiz. To buttress strong man Islamist image, Turkey
is cultivating JI operatives in PoK, involved in fanning Kashmiri movement and
providing weapons to Arkan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA). Through this
unprecedented scale of a parallel administrative net work Erdogan is amplifying
his campaign and catering to aspirations of his core Islamist constituency. By
consistently supporting right to self-determination, Erdogan struck chord with
Kashmir Separatists. Mirwaz Umar Farooq, chairman of Awami Action Committee and
part of the All India Hurriyat Conference openly celebrated Erdogan’s
re-election in 2018 Presidential Elections.
EU
parliament took serious note to Erdogan’s attempts to Turkish Diaspora in
Europe for his pursuits and issued stern warning. Notwithstanding this rebuke,
Erdogan continues to breach the redlines of non-interference in internal
affairs of countries and export radical ideology.
Erdogan’s
ideology conforms to Islam’s theological definition of Dar-Al-Harb (regions
where Islam doesn’t dominate) and Dar-Al-Islam (Muslim dominated region). These
are also referred to as territories of chaos or war and territories of peace
respectively. India is theologically Dar-Al-Harb and the larger goal of Muslim
Caliphate has been creating Dar-Al-Islam. The Islamist agenda of Erdogan unequivocally
endorses it. This concept overlaps with the Gazwa-e-Hind Pakistan’s policy
towards India. This ideological synchrony furthering the camaraderie between
Pakistan with Turkey. Being the lone nuclear Muslim country, Turkey which
harbours nuclear ambitions seeks to salvage them through Pakistan. To this end,
Turkey defended Pakistan’s right to carry nuclear tests while it denounced
India and recommended Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) membership to Pakistan.
Qatar, a
safe haven of Muslim Brotherhood supports Turkey’s war against Kurds. After the
US withdrew support to Kurds, Hamas backed Turkey, with an objective of using
Turkish territory to launch Zionist attacks. Following American retreat from
Syria, Erdogan assumed leadership role. Turkey is reportedly stoking terrorism
by supplying arms to Boko Haram and funding Nusra Front in Syria, al Qaeda in
Mali. Turkey has dubious links with jihadi groups across the World. It
maintains trade ties with ISIS, it can be concluded that Turkey and Pakistan can
be ranked as major centres of global terrorism. Despite mounting evidences,
both countries unapologetically use terror networks to foster their agendas. This
unqualified congruity in their strategic outlook explains the touted “Muslim
brotherhood” between both nations.
There are
eerie similarities between Pakistan and Turkey with respect to their
geostrategic position. Straddling across the two continents, Turkey has enormous
strategic influence. Turkey used its geographic position to hilt to foster its
strategic advantages. Despite Turkey’s misgivings, the Western World overlooked
them as they believed Istanbul can act as a bulwark against expanding Russian presence
in the region. In the recent past, Turkey has been flexing muscles and meddling
the precarious peace in the Middle East. But the West is incapable of acting
against Turkey as Erdogan has threatened to open the flood gates of the Syrian
refugees into Europe. Turkey is hosting 3.6 million Syrian refugees. Since the
Afghan invasion in 2001, America has become cash cow for Pakistan. Despite
Pakistan’s subterfuge, lies and deceit, Trump administration which is keen on
sealing peace plan with Afghan Taliban is softening its approach towards
Islamabad. Indeed, Pakistan is using its geographic location to its advantage,
twice over, playing the right cards against both America and China.
Post
failed coup attempt in 2016, India’s ties with Turkey were shrouded in
suspicion. Gulenists who advocate a secular agenda are believed to have
engineered coup. Erdogan has purged thousands of Gulenists, cracked down on his
sympathisers and tightened media restrictions. Fethullah Gulen who escaped to
the US and unfavourable to the idea of re-establishing a caliphate denied any
involvement. But Turkey accused America.
Erdogan believes that Gulenists or Fethullah Gulen Terrorist Organisation
(FETO) has infiltrated India and New Delhi has failed to curb its
activities.
Back in
2012, analyst Ruchi Sharma categorised Turkey under the larger group of
Breakout Nations- the nations to watch out for future economic miracles. But
Political Islam becoming the driving force of the President, Turkey steadily
slid into recession. Progress and development took a back seat. India is a seat
for economic opportunity, Turkey’s antipathy towards India and alignment with
Pakistan explains the nation’s shift in priorities. Setting aside the economic
interests, Erdogan played the high-risk gamble criticizing China of inhuman
treatment of Uighur to position himself as champion of Muslim issues.
Erdogan
ambition to re-establish a Caliphate created a schism in Muslim World and a
nascent discernible mini-Muslim coalition driven by anti-Arab sentiment was evident
at the 2019 Kuala Lumpur Summit. A new axis of power comprising of Malaysia,
Turkey, Pakistan, Iran and Qatar is in the making.
Turkey is
now a favourite destination for Islamist intellectuals and the proof lies in
its domestic laws. Sandhya Jain in her article highlighted about Turkey’s Universal
Jurisdiction laws which are part of domestic laws. Article 13 of the Turkish
Penal Code says, “Turkish laws can apply to the crime of torture committed
in a foreign country whether or not the crime is committed by a citizen or
non-citizen”. Khalistanis attempted
to use this law. Legal Advisor of Sikh for Justice, funded by ISI and working
on Referendum 2020, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on his visit to Turkey in October
2018 paid homage to Gallipoli soldiers and secured an arrest warrant against
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh restraining him from leaving Turkey.
Singh was in Turkey on a personal visit.
After the
abrogation of article 370, ex-IAS officer Shah Faesal attempted to flee to
Turkey to use this law. He planned to file a case against Home Minister, Amit
Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, former Army Chief Bipin Rawat on the
behalf of his political party Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Movement. According to
Vienna Protocol, Prime Minister and External Affairs Ministers have diplomatic
immunity. However, Faesal’s larger plans were nixed as government issued look
out notice and he was caught at the airport. Congress overseas wing led by Sam
Pitroda has opened party’s foreign office in Turkey. It doesn’t need a rocket
science to explain that Turkey is becoming a safe haven for anti-Indian
elements guided by the Pakistani handlers.
Giving
teeth to the Turkey and Pakistan ties, countries are mulling an arrangement for
citizens of both countries to obtain dual citizenship. Turkey is the second
largest arms-supplier to Pakistan after China. After the US imposed sanctions
on sale of F-16, Pakistan sought Turkey’s help. In 2018, Pakistan purchased
$1.5 billion worth 30 T-129 attack helicopters. Both countries are making
17,000 tonne fleet tanker in Karachi and signed a $1 billion deal to buy
Turkish made, four MILGEM-medium sized warships.
In his
address to the joint session of Parliament during his state visit, Erdogan drew
parallels between Kashmir and Gallipoli, Turkish resistance movement safe
guarding the Dardenelles Strait in 1915. He recalled the solidarity shown by
Indian Muslims through Lahore rally led by Allama Iqbal. Extending unflinching
support, he said, “Today, Kashmir for us is what it is to you (Pakistanis).
How can we forget those (Pakistanis) who prayed for Turkey? Our friendship is
based on love and vested interests. Like in past, we will continue to support
Pakistan in future”.
Despite
Indian protestations, Erdogan continues to raise Kashmir issue. As a member of
OIC’s contact group on Kashmir Turkey has been instrumental in passing a highly
critical resolution against India along the sidelines of UNGA. Irked by
Turkey’s interference, Modi met Cyprus President and Armenian Prime Minister. Hinting
at India’s disparagement, Prime Minister Modi cancelled trip to Turkey in
October. After withdrawal of American forces from Syria, India slammed Turkey “for
unilateral military offensive” and asked it “to exercise restraint”.
India suspended a defence deal for building war-ships with Turkish enterprise,
issued a travel advisory to Indian tourists and expanded engagement with
Armenia. Indo-Turkish relations are disaffected over a range of issue- India didn’t
support Turkey’s nuclear ambitions, the bilateral ties are skewed in favour of
India, collaborative construction projects in Middle East and Africa between
the countries failed to kick-off and finally India refused to crackdown on the
Gulen-controlled schools and institutes spread across different parts of the
country. Retrospectively, Turkey revived military and larger strategic
cooperation with Pakistan, courting Indian Muslims, arming the terror
operatives South Asia and unleashed Islamist agenda.
At the
time of writing, reports indicate that FATF decided to keep Pakistan in grey
list. To avoid ‘black list’ Pakistan needed three votes. Turkey and Malaysia
supported Pakistan at FATF while China took a critical note of Pakistan’s
failure to curb financing of terror organisations. Turkey once again rescued Pakistan and
demonstrated solidarity. Geopolitically, China-Pakistan tango have been
threatening Indian interests. Revival of Pakistan-Turkey brotherhood is posing
fresh challenges to India’s sovereignty and integrity. India must up its guard
against this new ideological entente cordiale.
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