Diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan have sharply deteriorated following a series of drone attacks that Indian authorities say were carried out by Pakistan using Turkish-manufactured drones, targeting both civilian and military sites in India in the wake of Operation Sindoor.
Escalation After Operation Sindoor
The current crisis follows the brief but intense military conflict that erupted on May 7, when India launched Operation Sindoor-a series of missile and air strikes against militant camps in Pakistani-administered Kashmir and Punjab. The operation was India’s response to the deadly Pahalgam attack in April, which killed 26 civilians, mostly Hindu tourists, and was blamed by India on Pakistan-based militants.
In retaliation, Pakistan initiated Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos, which included missile and drone strikes on Indian territory. Indian officials reported that these attacks specifically targeted civilian infrastructure, including religious sites, as well as military installations.
Turkish Drones in the Spotlight
Indian defense sources have confirmed that hundreds of Turkish Asisguard Songar drones were deployed by Pakistan during the conflict, with up to 400 drones participating in coordinated attacks on 36 locations across India, including the Jammu district and Amritsar. These drone strikes marked a significant escalation, representing the first large-scale drone warfare engagement between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
India’s extensive air defense network, including over 1,000 anti-aircraft guns and 750 surface-to-air missile systems, was activated in response. According to the Indian Ministry of Defence, more than 600 Pakistani drones were intercepted and destroyed during the hostilities.
Diplomatic Fallout: Academic Ties Severed
In a move reflecting the gravity of the situation, the Indian government announced the immediate suspension of all academic and research collaborations with Turkish universities. The decision comes after intelligence reports indicated that Turkish-origin drones supplied to Pakistan were directly involved in the attacks on Indian soil. The Ministry of External Affairs stated that “Turkey’s indirect involvement in these attacks cannot be ignored,” and called for a review of all bilateral engagements with Ankara.
Regional and Global Reactions
The escalation has drawn concern from the international community. Both the United States and the United Kingdom have urged restraint and are reportedly working to ensure the recently brokered ceasefire holds. Meanwhile, Turkey has denied any direct involvement in the conflict, stating that its defense exports are conducted in accordance with international law.
Ceasefire and Ongoing Tensions
A ceasefire was agreed upon after four days of hostilities, following hotline communications between senior Indian and Pakistani military officials. While commercial flights and daily life have resumed in both countries, the underlying tensions remain unresolved, with India warning of further consequences if evidence emerges of continued foreign support for cross-border terrorism.
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