In a significant geopolitical development, former US President Donald Trump has cleared a \$304 million missile deal with Turkiye, a NATO ally that has repeatedly voiced support for Pakistan—widely considered a state sponsor of terrorism by many in India.
The missile deal, involving advanced air defense systems, has raised eyebrows in strategic circles, especially in New Delhi. Observers are questioning the rationale behind such a high-value arms sale to a country that has consistently aligned itself with Pakistan on key global platforms, including the United Nations.
Turkiye’s vocal support for Pakistan’s position on Kashmir, combined with its growing military and strategic ties with Islamabad, has often strained its relations with India. Now, with this US-approved missile deal, concerns are mounting over how such military aid could indirectly empower forces hostile to Indian interests.
Veteran journalist Palki Sharma, in her latest broadcast, dissects the implications of this deal on India’s security calculus and regional stability. In her analysis, she explores whether this move by the US could be seen as undermining India’s strategic position in South Asia and potentially fueling an arms race in the region.
Sharma also highlights the broader context of US foreign policy decisions, pointing out the complex balancing act Washington performs between its economic, military, and geopolitical interests. She questions if arming a country like Turkiye, despite its ideological proximity to Pakistan, sends the wrong message to India—a key democratic ally in the Indo-Pacific region.
The issue also brings into focus the inconsistencies in US foreign arms sales, especially at a time when India is being courted as a strategic partner in countering China’s growing influence.
S Gopal Puri
