India and Türkiye Hold 12th Foreign Office Consultations

On 8th April 2026, India and Türkiye held the 12th round of Foreign Office Consultations (FoC) in New Delhi, signalling efforts to restore strained bilateral relations following tensions during the India-Pakistan conflict.

Key Points

Meeting Details: First such consultation since 2022 (Ankara).
Background of Strained Relations:
- Tensions over Recep Tayyip Erdoğan remarks on Kashmir.
- Escalated during Operation Sindoor due to Türkiye’s support to Pakistan.
Key Areas of Discussion:
- Trade and investment.
- Tourism and people-to-people ties.
- Technology, energy, and education.
- Cooperation against cross-border terrorism.
Global & Regional Context:
- Türkiye part of diplomatic efforts on US-Iran conflict.
- Contributed to recent ceasefire initiatives.
Economic Impact of Tensions:
- 36% drop in Indian tourists to Türkiye (June 2025).
- Bilateral trade declined by ~16%.
India’s Strategic Shift:
- Renewed outreach after tensions with Türkiye and Azerbaijan.
- Reflects a pragmatic diplomatic approach.