more-inLooking beyond traditional military ties with Pakistan and the NATO member countries, Turkey is eager to build a defence partnership with India. “India is one of the biggest importers of defence material in the world and has an excellent defence industry. That is why we are keen to build partnership with India’s defence industry,” said H. Ilnur Cevik, Senior Adviser to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey. But Mr. Cevik maintained that Turkey has decided to create space for cooperation with India. “Pakistan is a very good friend of Turkey but that does not mean India cannot be a close friend of Turkey ,” Mr. Cevik said.“We want India to be a partner of Turkey in defence, in nuclear issues... in Africa – in all areas – we want India to be our partner.”

Source: The Hindu April 28, 2017 16:14 UTC