The Hindu : A developing relationship

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Sep 20, 2003

Opinion

Opinion - Editorials

A developing relationship

PRIME MINISTER ATAL Bihari Vajpayee's visit to Turkey has added content to the relationship between the two countries. These secular democracies were estranged from each other till about a decade ago, largely because each perceived the other as part of the opposite camp during the Cold War. Since then they have steadily moved towards a commonality of views on many issues. The awareness that they are on the same side in the campaign against global terror has now spurred efforts to develop the relationship, the establishment of a Joint Working Group on terrorism being its first product. Terrorist groups that operate in different parts of the world have linkages which enable them to shift personnel, funds and material to new sanctuaries when their haunts become unsafe. They have also developed a nexus with crime cartels dealing in illicit drugs and arms. Turkey has always been deeply involved in the drive against transnational crime. Its experience and the wealth of information in its possession can prove invaluable to India once the cooperation becomes effective. Official India's apparent willingness to view Turkey as a partner with the United States and Israel in this sphere puts the campaign against terror in its correct perspective. The combat is between democracies on the one side and anti-liberal forces on the other; it is not a war against the followers of a particular religion.

Mr. Vajpayee's hosts appeared receptive to his statement that multipolarity must be reintroduced into the global system. A discernible change has occurred in Turkey's position on international issues after the Justice and Development Party came to power. This party is the most recent face of the Islamic movement, always a potent force in that country. Turkey's Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has moderated this movement and guided it along a progressive path. However, Mr. Erdogan's party retains strong cultural roots that enable it to counter-balance the excessively pro-West orientation of the military. Turkey has experienced the effects of actions taken in its neighbourhood by an unrestrained superpower. It is of cardinal importance to Turkey that a central authority in Baghdad has a firm control over the whole of Iraq. The Kurds in south-eastern Turkey might once again become restive if they believe that they can find sanctuary in lawless Iraq. Turkey is also unwilling to contribute troops to stabilise Iraq until the United Nations begins to play a central role in the restoration of security and economic reconstruction. Mr. Vajpayee and Mr. Erdogan shared the view that sovereignty must be transferred back to the people of Iraq as soon as possible.

While India and Turkey have moved closer on several political issues, economic interaction remains far below potential. A modest target of $ 1 billion has been set for bilateral trade, which currently languishes at $ 650 million. Turkey has expertise in high quality infrastructure development while Indian companies have earned a global reputation in the field of information technology. India has also much to learn from Turkey's success in exploiting its tourism resources. Both countries are aware of the scope for cooperation in economic projects in other parts of the world. Turkish and Indian companies are jointly exploring for oil in West Africa and constructing an oil pipeline in Central Asia. India must move swiftly to establish strong economic ties well before Turkey secures admission to the European Union. Cooperation in other fields will remain limited, and might prove ephemeral, if economic relations are allowed to stagnate at their present levels. The momentum generated by Mr. Vajpayee's visit must be kept up.

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