Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Antalya on Tuesday, signalling Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties with Turkey ahead of a major international diplomacy forum. The meeting, held on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, underscored ongoing strategic coordination between Islamabad and Ankara on regional and global matters of mutual concern.
During the encounter, Shehbaz characterised Turkey as his “second home” and described the visit as a pleasure, reflecting the depth of personal and institutional relationships between Pakistan and Turkey. The two nations have maintained consistent diplomatic engagement across multiple administrations, with Turkey serving as a bridge between Pakistan and Western institutions while Pakistan has reciprocated support for Turkish regional interests, particularly regarding Cyprus and Kurdish-related matters within international forums.
The timing of the meeting carries significance in the context of Pakistan’s broader diplomatic strategy. Islamabad has intensified engagement with both Muslim-majority and Western nations in recent months to secure international support for its economic stabilisation efforts and to maintain strategic influence in an increasingly multipolar South Asian and Middle Eastern landscape. Turkey, as a NATO member with growing influence in Central Asia and the Middle East, represents a crucial partner for Pakistan in navigating complex geopolitical configurations.
The Antalya Diplomacy Forum itself serves as a venue where officials from over 60 countries gather annually to discuss pressing international issues ranging from conflict resolution to trade and connectivity. Pakistan’s participation at the ministerial level, with the Prime Minister personally attending, signals the country’s commitment to multilateral engagement and its desire to position itself as a constructive voice in global affairs. Such forums also provide bilateral meeting opportunities outside formal state visits, allowing for candid exchanges on strategic matters.
Turkish-Pakistani relations extend beyond ceremonial diplomacy. The two countries collaborate on defence matters, with Turkey providing equipment and training support to Pakistan’s military forces. Economic ties, though modest compared to their geopolitical importance, have been growing, with bilateral trade exceeding $500 million annually in recent years. Cultural and educational exchanges, including Turkish support for Pakistani students through scholarship programmes, reinforce people-to-people connections.
The meeting also reflects Pakistan’s calibrated approach to maintaining equidistant relations with multiple global powers amid superpower competition. While Pakistan has historical ties with China and the United States, its relationship with Turkey offers a middle path—a relationship built on shared Islamic heritage, strategic interests in Central Asia, and mutual benefit in countering regional adversaries. For Turkey, Pakistan represents access to South Asian markets and a strategic ally in monitoring developments in Afghanistan and Central Asia.
Looking ahead, observers will monitor whether this diplomatic engagement translates into concrete cooperative frameworks. Pakistan may seek Turkish support on issues ranging from Afghanistan’s stability to Kashmir representation in international forums, while Turkey could expect Pakistan’s backing on matters concerning the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle Eastern balance of power. The substantive outcomes of such high-level bilateral meetings often materialise over subsequent months through working group meetings and technical committees. The next focal point will be the nature and scope of agreements announced following this encounter and the momentum they generate in Pakistan-Turkey relations throughout 2024.
