2 days ago
Last Updated:May 26, 2025, 07:13 IST
Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif met Turkish President Erdogan and thanked him for "resolute support" during India's Operation Sindoor.
Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif visits Turkey (Reuters Image)
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday and thanked him for “resolute support" against the recent military confrontation with India.
Setting aside India’s ‘Operation Dost’ from its memory, Turkey had backed Islamabad against New Delhi in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor.
“Had the honor of meeting my dear brother President Reccep Tayipp Erdogan in Istanbul this evening. Thanked him for his resolute support to Pakistan in the recent Pakistan India standoff," Sharif wrote on X.
“We also reviewed the ongoing progress of our multifaceted bilateral engagements particularly in trade and investment and reaffirmed our resolve to continue working closely to further strengthen these unshakable bonds of brotherhood and cooperation. Long live Pakistan-Turkey Friendship," he added.
The two leaders had last met on April 22, the day when the barbaric Pahalgam attack took place, killing 26 civilians.
Sharif is on a six-day, four-nation tour, weeks after India inflicted heavy damage to Pakistan’s terrorist and military infrastructures in a four-day standoff from May 7 to 10 under Operation Sindoor. After Turkey, he will visit Azerbaijan, Iran, and Tajikistan.
In response to the Pakistani leader’s post, Erdogan conveyed his “heartfelt love" to the citizens of the country and said that through this meeting, they have further strengthened the “unbreakable ties".
“We discussed many critical issues with them, especially the economy, trade and security. We confirmed and strengthened our will to strengthen the deep-rooted historical, human and political relations between Turkey and Pakistan in every field. As my dear brother Shehbaz stated, we have further strengthened the unbreakable ties, cooperation, solidarity and brotherhood between our countries and peoples. I convey my most heartfelt love to my Pakistani brothers through Mr. Sharif," he wrote.
Turkey had condemned India’s Operation Sindoor, which was conducted in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22. Ankara had propagated Pakistan’s false narrative that India struck civilian targets in Pakistan and not the terror camps. The country had also assisted Pakistan with drones, which were later used to target Indian cities and military installations in India.
Turkey’s backing for Pakistan during a crucial moment like this, years after India helped Ankara with ‘Operation Dost’ during its devastating earthquake in 2023, triggered a sharp backlash in India, where citizens called for boycotting Turkey and its products.
Location :Turkey
First Published:News world In First Meet After India's Op Sindoor, Shehbaz Sharif Thanks Erdogan For Supporting Pakistan
