New alliance

At a time when the region is undergoing transformation with new alliances, it was inspiring to learn that Pakistan, Turkey, and Azerbaijan are strengthening their relationship. The understanding was reached between the foreign ministers of the three Muslim nations at the second trilateral meeting, hosted by Islamabad.

The close ties may also have another unifying factor that all three countries are involved in longstanding territorial disputes. For Pakistan, it is the Kashmir issue. For Turkey, it is the Northern Cyprus dispute with Greece and Cyprus. For Azerbaijan, it is the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute with Armenia.

Each country has consistently supported the others’ positions in these disputes. This is also why some aspects of the improvements in ties may not have made it to the public statements issued jointly and individually by the three countries. The formal — rather bland — statement issued referred broadly to climate change, Covid-19, education, and culture as other areas of cooperation.

Meanwhile, Islamabad is further strengthening their longstanding relationship with Ankara, with the recently-signed Pak-Turkey Strategic Economic Framework. The economic deal covers 71 items, and although trade volume admittedly remains low — about $800 million — the agreement is also expected to significantly increase trade volume.

Turkish investment in Pakistan is also expected to increase significantly. The recent moves could help further link Pakistan to an economy that is generally on the up. Another “High-level Strategic Council” is on the horizon, reflecting the increasingly close ties between the two longstanding allies.

Defence ties are also improving, and it is notable that the Turkish foreign minister brought this up in the presence of the Azerbaijani FM. However, given the changing dynamics in the region, it would be unsurprising if more significant cooperation were to remain under wraps. The new alliance should work to enrich their relationship bilaterally as well as at multilateral forums.