Turkey, Which Sided With Pakistan During Operation Sindoor, Wants To Join SCO. What Does It Mean For India?
President Erdogan has announced that Turkey is considering full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, a security bloc led by Russia and China. Erdogan stated that Turkey intends to deepen its cooperation with the organization. While pursuing these ties, Erdogan maintains that engaging with Russia and China does not mean Turkey is turning its back on the West. This diplomatic shift occurs as Turkey increases engagement with Central Asian partners, including recent defense talks and presidential visits to Kyrgyzstan.
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- ✓ President Erdogan stated Turkey will deepen cooperation with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
- ✓ Turkey's defense ministers held talks in Bishkek with their Kyrgyz counterparts.
- ✓ President Erdogan attended the opening ceremony of the 6th World Nomad Games in Kyrgyzstan.
- ✓ Erdogan claims relations with China and Russia do not constitute turning away from the West.
What changed
President Erdogan explicitly stated Turkey would consider full membership in the China and Russia-led security bloc.
Live updates
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Turkey Seeks Full Membership in Shanghai Cooperation Organization
President Erdogan has announced that Turkey is considering full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, a security bloc led by Russia and China. Erdogan stated that Turkey intends to deepen its cooperation with the organization. While pursuing these ties, Erdogan maintains that engaging with Russia and China does not mean Turkey is turning its back on the West. This diplomatic shift occurs as Turkey increases engagement with Central Asian partners, including recent defense talks and presidential visits to Kyrgyzstan.
Why it matters
Turkey previously supported Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, a factor that complicates its diplomatic alignment with India. Joining the SCO would place Turkey in a formal security framework alongside both India and China.
What is confirmed
- President Erdogan stated Turkey will deepen cooperation with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
- Turkey's defense ministers held talks in Bishkek with their Kyrgyz counterparts.
- President Erdogan attended the opening ceremony of the 6th World Nomad Games in Kyrgyzstan.
- Erdogan claims relations with China and Russia do not constitute turning away from the West.
Still unconfirmed
- Turkey sided with Pakistan during Operation Sindoor.
What to watch next
- Official application for SCO full membership
- Formal response from India regarding Turkey's membership bid
- Outcomes of further defense consultations between Turkey and SCO members
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (6)
- Anadolu Ajansı — President Erdogan says Türkiye will deepen cooperation with Shanghai Cooperation Organization
- AKIpress News Agency — Defense Ministers of Kyrgyzstan and Turkey hold talks in Bishkek
- The Washington Post — Turkey's relations with Russia, China don't mean turning its back on the West, Erdogan says
- News18 — Turkey, Which Sided With Pakistan During Operation Sindoor, Wants To Join SCO. What Does It Mean For India?
- usnews.com — Erdogan Says Turkey Would Consider Full Membership of China and Russia-Led Security Bloc
- TRT World — Türkiye's President Erdogan attends opening ceremony of 6th World Nomad Games in Kyrgyzstan
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