The political vacuum in Bangladesh following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina in August 2024 is providing fertile ground for Turkey to expand its strategic and ideological footprint in South Asia. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is capitalizing on the situation, aligning with Pakistan’s ISI and the Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) to promote an Islamist agenda and undermine India’s interests in the region.

This growing trilateral nexus is channeling funds, arms, and radical ideology into Bangladesh, with Ankara positioning Dhaka as a hub for anti-India operations. Turkey’s open support for Pakistan during India’s Operation Sindoor underscores this alliance. The revival of Jamaat’s political legitimacy—after the Supreme Court lifted the ban in June—marks a departure from the Awami League’s earlier crackdown on extremism, which had aligned with Indian strategic interests.

Turkey’s outreach extends beyond ideology to deep defence cooperation. A Turkish delegation led by Haluk Gorgun, President of Turkey’s Defence Industries, visited Dhaka in July, meeting military leaders to boost defence ties. Talks focused on advanced equipment like Bayraktar TB-2 drones, TRG-300 rockets, and Cobra-II MRAPs. Turkey also pledged support for defence industry hubs in Chittagong and Narayanganj.

Simultaneously, Bangladesh is negotiating for local production of artillery shells and rifles. Senior Bangladeshi defence officials attended Turkey’s international defence expo in July, while trade, aerospace, and clean energy collaborations are expanding.

Under interim Prime Minister Yunus, Bangladesh has become the fourth-largest importer of Turkish defence equipment. Ankara’s ideological and military investments appear aimed at shaping Dhaka’s political future in line with Islamist and anti-India objectives.