ISTANBUL/ISLAMABAD – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has conveyed strong support for Pakistan following a deadly escalation in hostilities with India, reaffirming Ankara’s commitment to regional peace and offering diplomatic assistance to de-escalate the crisis.Pakistan Today+2India Today+2Reuters+2
In a phone call with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on May 7, Erdogan expressed condolences for the Pakistani civilians killed in recent Indian missile strikes and praised Islamabad’s “calm and restrained” response to the crisis. He also backed Pakistan’s call for a neutral, transparent international investigation into the April 22 militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, which India has blamed on Pakistan—a claim Islamabad denies. Hurriyet Daily News+4The Express Tribune+4India Today+4Reuters+6A News+6Anadolu Ajansı+6
“Türkiye stands in full solidarity with Pakistan and mourns the loss of Pakistani martyrs,” Erdogan told Sharif, according to a statement from the Turkish presidency. He emphasized that Ankara was ready to do “its utmost” to prevent further escalation between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. The Guardian+10Ilke News Agency+10Daily Sabah+10The Guardian+8Turkish Minute+8TRT Global+8
The crisis intensified after India launched “Operation Sindoor,” a series of missile and drone strikes on May 6 targeting what it described as terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The attacks reportedly killed 31 civilians and injured 57 others, including women and children, according to Pakistani officials. In retaliation, Pakistan claimed to have downed five Indian fighter jets and a combat drone. Turkish Minute+4The Guardian+4The Guardian+4The Guardian+5Turkish Minute+5A News+5TRT Global+7Anadolu Ajansı+7A News+7
Erdogan’s outreach marks Türkiye as one of the first countries to publicly support Pakistan amid the escalating conflict. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan also contacted his Pakistani counterpart, Ishaq Dar, shortly after the strikes, further reinforcing Ankara’s diplomatic backing. TRT Global
Prime Minister Sharif thanked Erdogan for Türkiye’s solidarity and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to defending its sovereignty while seeking a peaceful resolution. “We will protect our sovereignty and territorial integrity at all costs,” Sharif said in a statement, adding that Pakistan appreciated Turkish efforts to promote de-escalation and maintain peace in South Asia. The Express Tribune+8Ilke News Agency+8A News+8Pakistan Today+4A News+4Anadolu Ajansı+4
The international community has expressed concern over the potential for further escalation. Leaders from the United States, United Kingdom, China, and Russia have urged both India and Pakistan to exercise restraint and engage in dialogue to resolve their differences peacefully. The Guardian
As tensions continue to simmer, Türkiye’s proactive diplomatic engagement underscores its role as a key regional player advocating for stability and peaceful conflict resolution.