Turkey Escalates Kashmir Issue: Erdogan Aims to Become Muslim World’s ‘Caliph’, Pakistan and Bangladesh as Strategic Allies

Ankara: Turkey is intensifying its focus on Kashmir, raising eyebrows worldwide by bringing the issue to its parliament despite not being a direct stakeholder. While Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir might not surprise anyone, Turkey’s move marks a significant step in its assertive foreign policy and signals a fresh strain in India-Turkey relations. Earlier, Turkey had even denied passage to Indian Apache helicopters through its airspace, forcing the US company to reroute.

Analysts suggest that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is following the path of the Ottoman rulers, seeking to revive Islam and establish himself as the spiritual leader or ‘Caliph’ of the Muslim world. In this vision, nuclear-armed Pakistan is a key ally, and Bangladesh under Mohammad Yunus is emerging as another strategic partner.

On November 18, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan addressed the parliament in the language of Pakistan while raising the Kashmir issue. Erdogan has repeatedly highlighted Kashmir at international forums, including the United Nations, leveling baseless allegations against India. Since coming to power in 2002, Turkey has projected itself as a ‘middle power.’ Its diplomatic presence now surpasses NATO expectations, operating 252 embassies worldwide—the third highest globally after the US and China.

Turkey Overtakes Saudi Arabia in Islamic Leadership Ambitions

Erdogan is positioning Turkey as a leader of the Islamic world, surpassing Saudi Arabia. He is reviving Ottoman symbols and sidelining the country’s secular history, promoting Turkey as the custodian of Islamic civilization. Through the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Turkey has attempted to assert dominance over Saudi Arabia, seeking alliances with Pakistan and Malaysia to strengthen the concept of ‘Ittihad-e-Islam’—the unity of Muslims under one banner.

By championing issues such as Kashmir, Palestine, and Islamophobia in Europe, Erdogan is bolstering support among conservative Muslim populations worldwide. This approach diverges sharply from the policies of other Muslim-majority nations. Erdogan is actively visiting Muslim-majority countries across Asia and Africa, leveraging Turkey’s religious institution, Diyanet, to extend influence globally. Diyanet promotes Sunni Islam, particularly the Hanafi-Maturidi tradition, countering Saudi Arabia’s Salafi ideology. Its budget has now exceeded $3 billion.

Turkey Expands Influence in Bangladesh

In Bangladesh, Turkey is actively extending its influence following Sheikh Hasina’s tenure, strengthening ties with the country’s executive leadership under Mohammad Yunus. Erdogan’s party maintains close links with Bangladesh’s Islamist party, Jamaat-e-Islami, which had faced restrictions under Sheikh Hasina. Both groups support the global Islamist organization Muslim Brotherhood. Turkey is funding madrassas and Islamic charitable institutions connected to Jamaat, consolidating its foothold in the region.

With these strategic moves, Erdogan is not only challenging India diplomatically but also reshaping Turkey’s role as a key player in the Muslim world.