New Delhi, August 22, 2026: Retired Indian Major-General Gagan Deep Bakshi has issued a strong warning over the growing military cooperation between Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, saying India would be capable of confronting any Turkish naval force that attempted to intervene in a future India-Pakistan conflict.
Bakshi made the remarks while discussing the recently established defense alignment between Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. He described the emerging grouping as a “Sunni NATO” and said its development was a serious strategic concern for India.
Strong Message to Ankara
Addressing the possibility of Turkey coming to Pakistan’s military assistance, Bakshi said geographical distance would make any Turkish intervention difficult. He warned that the Indian Navy could defeat a Turkish naval deployment attempting to reach Pakistan.
“The Indian Navy can tear apart any Turkish armada that tries to come to Pakistan’s aid,” Bakshi said.
The remarks were directed at Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan amid Ankara’s increasingly close defense relationship with Islamabad.
Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan Strengthen Defense Ties
The comments come after Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a joint defense agreement in Mecca earlier this month. The agreement commits the three countries to regard an armed attack against one member as an attack against all three, while providing a framework for expanded military cooperation.
The three governments have presented the agreement as defensive and have said it is not directed against any particular country.
However, Bakshi argued that Turkey’s close military relationship with Pakistan means India cannot ignore the development.
He also alleged that Turkey provided substantial military assistance to Pakistan during the India-Pakistan confrontation surrounding Operation Sindoor, including drones. These claims have been reported as Bakshi’s allegations and should not be treated as independently established facts.
India’s Iran Strategy
Beyond Turkey and Pakistan, Bakshi also argued that India should maintain its strategic relationship with Iran despite its close partnership with Israel.
He said Iran remains important to India because it provides access toward Afghanistan and Central Asia, particularly through the Chabahar port.
Bakshi emphasized that India’s relationship with Israel does not mean New Delhi should abandon its independent strategic interests in Iran.
“We are friends, certainly. But vassals? No, sir,” he said, stressing that India would make its own decisions on issues affecting its national interests.
Not an Official Government Warning
Importantly, Bakshi is a retired Indian Army officer, and his remarks do not represent an official warning or policy statement from the Government of India.
India’s official response to the Turkey-Saudi Arabia-Pakistan defense agreement has been considerably more measured. The remarks nevertheless highlight growing concern among some Indian strategic commentators about Turkey’s military cooperation with Pakistan and its position on regional security issues.
The latest comments are likely to add further intensity to an already complicated relationship between New Delhi and Ankara, as Turkey deepens its security partnership with Pakistan while India continues to strengthen its own strategic relationships across the Middle East and Indo-Pacific.
