Introduction

T he camaraderie between Türks, Azeris, and Pakistanis, exists not just at the state level for geopolitical reasons as displayed during the First and Second Nagarno-Karabakh wars, but at the people-to-people and heart-to-heart level. This bonhomie extends from entertainment to tourism and from industry to gastronomy. There are indeed many reasons for this, ranging from economic to cultural, but the foundation for this relationship is the widespread acceptance of the Turkish historical narratives in Azerbaijan and Pakistan, primarily “Pan Turanism” in the former and “Pan Islamism” in the latter. “Türkiye is Pakistan and Pakistan is Türkiye,” said Turkish Ambassador to Pakistan, Irfan Neziroglu recently.1 The ambassador added, “Türkiye’s borders do not meet Pakistan, but Pakistanis and Turks are like one nation, their hearts beat together,” what the Turkish ambassador said is a diplomatic extension of the stated doctrine of Turkish-Azeri partnership “One nation, two states” (tek millet, iki devlet).2 Reciprocating the Turkish ambassador’s appreciation of Pakistan, Pakistan’s ambassador to Türkiye, Dr Yousaf Junaid, stated Pakistan and Türkiye are "two countries, one nation."3 Türkiye is a staunch supporter of Pakistan on the Kashmir issue and Azerbaijan on the Artsakh (Nagarno-Karabakh) issue, while Pakistan a nuclear country has consistently and unequivocally supported Türkiye and Pakistan whenever needed.4

Context

Jinnah

W hat the Turkish ambassador said recently in Pakistan, is similar in substance and nature to what the founding father of Pakistan Muhammad Ali Jinnah said in the past. During a notable address on March 4, 1948, Jinnah, when receiving Türkiye's first ambassador articulated the profound admiration and camaraderie felt by the Pakistani people towards Türkiye by stating: "Turkiye has been in our thoughts constantly and has drawn our admiration for the valour of your people and the way in which your statesmen and leaders have struggled and fought almost single handed in the midst of Europe for your freedom and sovereignty which have been happily maintained. I can, therefore, assure Your Excellency that the Muslims of Pakistan entertain sentiments of affection and esteem for your country, and now Türkiye, and Pakistan both as free, sovereign and independent countries, can strengthen their ties more and more for the good of both."5 Türkiye has persistently supported Pakistan in international forums such as the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), particularly on the Kashmir issue, while Pakistan reciprocates by its support to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and Azerbaijan in the Nagarno-Karabakh issue.6

Turkic Past

E xplaining the Balkans to Pakistan narrative of “Grand Turanic Unity,” Pakistani Journalist Irfan Raja writes that as Türkiye heads toward the 2023 project, it is perhaps the best time to reconnoitre Türkiye’s associations with South Asian countries. Raja goes on to write “Learn more about Turkic traces in Pakistani lands. Many of you may not have heard that the north of Pakistan is home to thousands of the Kayi tribe’s (Ottomans were from Kayi tribe) blood brothers, Karluk Turks.”7 Azerbaijanis consider Qara Qoyunlu as their ancestors, these invaders established Qutub Shahi dynasty (1518–1687) that ruled Hyderabad Deccan in India. Char Minar in Hyderabad (India) was built during the reign of this dynasty, they were descendants of Qara Yusuf from Qara Qoyunlu, this, Turkmen tribal federation ruled Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Iraq from about 1375 to 1468. Many of these Turkic people migrated to Pakistan from Deccan (India) after the creation of this Islamic country separate from so-called “Hindu” India.8 Aware of the Turkic heritage in Pakistan, Türkiye has taken several steps to preserve it, in 2017 Turkish Janissary Mehter band participated in Pakistan's Republic day parade, and played Jeeway Jeeway Pakistan tune.9 The Ottoman Empire was founded by Osman. In 2021, the Turkish series Kurulus Osman based on the life of Osman (founder of Ottoman Empire), produced by Mehmet Bozdag started airing with Urdu dubbing on Pakistani Channel Geo TV during the month of Ramadan. A Turkish delegation met the former Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan to discuss in detail the joint venture which will feature actors from both countries and be based on the Khilafat Movement, which was launched by Muslims in undivided India (including what is now Pakistan) to protect the Ottoman Caliphate.10

Symbolism

E ven though the majority Pakistani population is non-Turkish they see their country as a successor of the Turkic Empires established in South Asia, hence connected to the project of “Grand Turan.” They also see Turks as strong supporters of unity in the Islamic world, in comparison to Arabs who according to Pakistani narrative destroyed this unity first during the Arab revolt with the support of “Lawrence of Arabia” (The revolt began in June 1916, when an Arab army of some 70,000 men, financed by Britain and led by Faisal I, moved against Turkish forces) and now by supporting countries like India. Military symbolism of Pakistan displays profound Turkish influence, like missiles named after Turkic conquerors, Ghaznavi (Hatf-III) is named after Mahmud of Ghazni, and Babur (Hatf-VII) who spoke Chaghatai Turkish and was the founder of the Mughal dynasty in India.11 One of Babur’s successors generations later was Aurangzeb, known for his cruelty – thus one of the Pakistani frigates bears his title (Alamgir). One of the steps taken by Pakistan to support the project “Grand Turan” is being the only country in the world to not officially recognise Armenian independence, while it was one of the first countries to recognize the independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan on the 12th of December 1991. The former President of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev gave a speech during his official visit to Islamabad in 1996, on the strong relations between Azerbaijan and Pakistan he said “The Pakistani government has always criticized the military aggression of Armenia against Azerbaijan and condemned Armenia as an aggressor. In discussing this issue in the UN Security Council the Pakistani representative demonstrated a very fair attitude to Azerbaijan and helped us. I take this opportunity to express my gratitude for all that to Pakistan.”12 The Pakistani ambassador visited Shushi in Karabakh and said “Shushi reminds me of beautiful places in Pakistan.”13 Pakistani musicians performed in the “Kharibulbul International Music Festival” in Karabakh and most of the musical pieces performed at concerts were dedicated to Azerbaijan's victory in the Second Karabakh War and the Year of Shushi announced in the country.14

Animosity

F or Islamabad hating Yerevan is not just a geopolitical imperative but also a result of a long-held belief that Turkic expansionism is essential to facilitate the spread of Islam, the “Hilal (Crescent)” on the flags of the “Three Kardesh (Türkiye, Pakistan, and Azerbaijan) symbolically represents what they stand for “Islamic unity” against a “Kafir” Yerevan.15 According to Islamabad-based, Pakistani academician Muhammad Fahim “The reason behind Pakistan's decision to not recognize Armenia is the Nagorno-Karabakh issue. Upon the collapse of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR) in the 1990s, Armenian forces and local ethnic Armenian separatist organizations attacked Azerbaijan and commenced the genocide of Azeri Muslims in an unannounced war in 1992. As a result, Armenia occupied Nagorno-Karabakh and seven other Azeri districts as well. More than 700,000 thousand Azeri people had become Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). With the help of Armenian state machinery.” Fahim goes on to give details about the defence cooperation between Pakistan and Azerbaijan in his paper and concludes by writing “It is clear that Pakistan will not back from its principle stance and will not accord recognition to Armenia until Armenia withdraws its forces from the internationally recognized Azerbaijani land…Pakistan will never jeopardize its cordial and brotherly relations with Azerbaijan and Turkey for a small nation, Armenia, that does not offer much while on the contrary, Azerbaijan is rich in natural resources and shares a common culture, religion, and a sense of oneness with Pakistan. These are the major reasons that bar Pakistan from recognizing Armenia.”14 Armenia because of its geography and demographics (a majority Christian country), is a major hindrance in the furtherance of “Pan Islamic” ideology supported by Islamabad. Pakistan as a nation-state has had existential crisis, from the very beginning of its independent existence. What should be the purpose of Pakistan’s existence? On the one hand is being “a Westphalian nation-state” a peaceful member of a comity of nations and on the other hand is “Pan-Islamism” an ideology antithetical to nationalism, but deeply associated with the creation of Pakistan separate from a “Hindu” India (two nation theory), Pakistan chose the latter.16

Conclusion

For long-term peace in the South Caucasus, the dissolution of the Turkish, Pakistani, and Azeri coalition against Armenia is essential. Closer military cooperation between “agents of stability, upholders of rule of law and well-functioning democracies,” India, Armenia, France, Greece, and Cyprus with the last two having a strong geographical advantage for countering Turkish threat, can be a strong deterrence against the aforementioned coalition of states. Indian armed forces conduct Varuna Navy exercises (dating back to 1983), Garuda Air exercises, and Shakti Army exercises with France, and recently the French and Armenian armies participated together with the militaries of seven other nations including Greece and Cyprus in the Olympic Cooperation-24 military exercises organized in Greece. 17 The Minister of National Defence of the Hellenic Republic, Nikolaos Dendias spoke in a press conference in Yerevan “We have established successful trilateral defence cooperation between Armenia, Greece and Cyprus. However, there may also be other trilateral or quadrilateral relations with France and India, with significant countries, important powers, and very influential common allies of Armenia and Greece.” 18 India and France have been selling arms to Armenia irrespective of strong protests from Azerbaijan, and now as per a report by Enikos, Greece is preparing to transfer the S-300 and two other Russian-made air defence systems, previously used by the country, to Armenia.19 India, Greece, and Armenia are heirs to great civilizations that lost considerable areas to the then-invading Central Asian Turks, now they face a similar threat from Erdogan-led Türkiye. Strengthening of military cooperation between India, Armenia, Greece, France, and Cyprus can indeed play an important role in ensuring long-term peace in South Caucasus.

Endnotes:

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Fahim, Muhammad, “PAKISTAN AND THE QUESTION OF RECOGNIZING ARMENIA: PAKISTAN-ARMENIA RELATIONS, THE ISSUE OF KASHMIR & NAGORNO-KARABAKH,” Journal of South Asian Studies.
Web Desk, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Pakistan issue joint declaration, Anadolu Agency, January 14, 2021,
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Web Desk, Arka News Agency, November 26, 2024