Pakistan has claimed that three countries have extended their support amid growing tensions with India. Following China and Turkey, Azerbaijan has now also pledged its backing for Islamabad. After the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on 22 April, fears of a possible war between India and Pakistan have intensified. While Iran and Saudi Arabia have initiated dialogue with both nations to reduce tensions, reports suggest that China and Turkey have supplied Pakistan with deadly weapons.
In addition to arming Islamabad, China declared on Sunday that it supports Pakistan in protecting its sovereignty and national interests. The Chinese Foreign Ministry stated:
“This conflict is not in the fundamental interests of either India or Pakistan, nor is it conducive to regional peace and stability. We hope both sides exercise restraint, work together, and help ease the situation.”
This statement came after Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar spoke to Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. According to Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry, Dar rejected “India’s unilateral and illegal actions and its baseless propaganda against Pakistan.”
Pakistani journalists have also claimed that Azerbaijan has expressed its support for Pakistan.
China, Turkey, and Azerbaijan: No Surprise in Their Support for Pakistan
These three nations have long been aligned with Pakistan. Azerbaijan, for instance, has received military support from both Turkey and Pakistan in its conflict with Armenia. Interestingly, Azerbaijan also buys weapons from India. China, under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), has invested billions in Pakistan and fears that a potential war may put its infrastructure and strategic investments, like ports, at risk.
India has reportedly sent an aircraft carrier to the Arabian Sea, which could pose a threat to the Gwadar Port. Moreover, China has urgently supplied Pakistan with PL-15 missiles. Pakistan also claimed that Turkey delivered six aircraft loaded with weapons — five landed in Islamabad and one in Karachi.
Also Read- India’s Passport Ranking Drops by 5 Spots: Which Country Tops the List? Check Pakistan’s Rank Too
Turkey’s Strong Religious and Military Alliance with Pakistan
Turkey and Pakistan share a close relationship based on Islamic solidarity. Turkey has sold MILGEM-class warships to Pakistan and frequently supports Pakistan on the Kashmir issue, including at the United Nations. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has repeatedly raised the Kashmir issue in Pakistan’s favour. The two countries also conduct joint military exercises.
Azerbaijan’s Deepening Military Ties with Pakistan
Azerbaijan refers to its bond with Pakistan as “Two Nations, One Soul.” During the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war, Turkey openly backed Azerbaijan, and Pakistan also supported it. Turkey provided drones, modern weaponry, and strategic support to Azerbaijan. In recent years, military cooperation between Pakistan and Azerbaijan has grown through arms deals and joint military drills.
Expert View
Indian security expert Sushant Sareen commented on social platform X, “India’s friends and foes are making their positions clear. China, Turkey, and Azerbaijan are firmly with Pakistan. Ideally, there should be a cost for siding against India, but New Delhi continues to reward them with lucrative trade and defence contracts. Israel seems to be the only real ally left. Others — the U.S., EU, UK, even Russia — are hedging. But of course, we believe in ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.’ We are a nation that refuses to learn from history.”