In the wake of disaster, compassion can build bridges — or reveal cracks. That’s exactly what happened during Operation Dost, India’s swift and heartfelt humanitarian mission to earthquake-hit Turkey in 2023. But as “Operation Dost & Diplomatic Discord: How Turkey’s Loyalty to Pakistan Undermined India’s Trust” by Lea Watch News reveals, goodwill alone isn’t always enough to mend deeper political divides.
India acted quickly, sending rescue teams, relief material, and medical aid to Turkey, showcasing its readiness to help a nation in need — no politics, just humanity. However, the diplomatic warmth was short-lived. Despite India’s genuine outreach, Turkey continued to openly support Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir, even echoing anti-India sentiments on international platforms.
Lea Watch News explores how this unwavering alliance between Turkey and Pakistan has caused India to reassess its diplomatic expectations. While humanitarian aid was appreciated, Turkey’s political actions post-crisis suggested that strategic loyalty still lay elsewhere. This disconnect highlights the limits of soft diplomacy when hardline geopolitical interests are at play.
The article also reflects on India’s broader foreign policy learning curve — that trust must be built on mutual respect, not just grand gestures. Operation Dost was a reflection of India’s rising global humanitarian role, but Turkey’s continued support of Pakistan reminds us that geopolitical memory runs deep.
Ultimately, this episode underscores a painful truth: even in moments of shared suffering, diplomacy doesn’t always move in a straight line. Acts of friendship like Operation Dost matter, but so do the choices countries make when the cameras are off. For India, the message was clear — goodwill must be matched with goodwill, or it risks becoming a one-way street.