Türkiye’s Economic and Strategic Relations with Asia: The Case of Bangladesh
Abstract views: 34
/ 
PDF downloads: 41
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16461358Abstract
Türkiye’s growing relations with Asian countries, especially under the “Asia Anew Initiative” (Yeniden Asya Girişiminin), marking a strategic shift aimed to restoring historical, economic and diplomatic ties with Asian countries. This study examines dramatically rising economic and strategic partnerships between Türkiye and Asian countries with particularly focusing on Bangladesh as a case study. Historically, the relations between Türkiye and Bangladesh along with south Asian Muslims, dates back to pre-Islamic times and was strong during ottoman and Mughal era because of mutual cultural, religious, and political cooperation. In the Modern era, Turkish foreign policy has goon several changes especially from 2002 under the Recep Tayyip Erdogan administration which some experts named as neo-Ottomanism. This study discusses a comprehensive analysis of Türkiye’s soft power approach and its multidimensional bilateral relations with Bangladesh examining socio-cultural, economic, trade and geopolitical dimensions. By exploring the historical roots, present strategic initiatives, the study seeks to emphasize Türkiye’s position as a rising regional actor in Asia and its potential advantages in shaping mutually beneficial partnerships. The study uses qualitative case study methods. This paper firstly discusses Türkiye Bangladesh historical relations and its development. Then, it seeks to make understanding how Türkiye’s Asia Anew Initiative policy impacts Türkiye-Bangladesh economic and strategic relations. Finally, the study discusses future prospect for both countries bilateral relations after political transformation on 5th August in Bangladesh. The findings conclude that Türkiye and Bangladesh are well positioned to develop their strategic collaboration, providing a great paradigm for South-South cooperation in the changing global order.
Keywords: Asia Anew Initiative, economic ties, strategic ties, Türkiye, Bangladesh, Pakistan, India.
References
Al Mahmud, A. (2022). The role of the Turkish Muslims in the socio-cultural formation of Bengal during the Sultanate period (1204–1525). Sinop Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 6(1), 23–43.
Alperen, Ü., & Ersoy, E. (2019, October 18). Turkey and Asia Anew: A foreign policy initiative in passing. The Diplomat. Retrieved from https:// thediplomat.com/ 2019/10/turkey-and-asia-anew-a-foreign-policy-initiative -in- passing/
Anadolu Agency. (2022, March 11). With Bengali dubbing, Turkish series rises to top in Bangladesh. Daily Sabah. Retrieved from https://www.dailysabah. com/arts/cinema/with-bengali-dubbing-turkish-series-rises-to-top-in-bangladesh
Aziz, M. A. (2025, April 1). Untapped potential of Bangladesh–Türkiye strategic partnership. Daily Sabah. Retrieved from https://www.dailysabah.com/opinion/op-ed/untapped-potential-of-bangladesh-turkiye-strategic-partnership
Baba, G. (2017). The waves of Turkey’s proactive foreign policy hitting South-Asian coasts: Turkey-Bangladesh relations. Journal of Administrative Sciences, 15(30), 581.
Baba, G. (2017). The waves of Turkey's proactive foreign policy hitting South-Asian coasts: Turkey-Bangladesh relations. Yönetim Bilimleri Dergisi, 15(30), 379–400.
Bangladesh’s flirtation with Turkiye to buy six warships may boomerang. (2021). Indian Narrative. Retrieved July 24, 2021, from https://www.indianarrative. com/world-news/bangladeshs-flirtation-with-turkey -to -buy -six- warships-may-boomerang-22634.html
Bhardwaj, S. (2003). Bangladesh foreign policy vis‐a‐vis India. South Asian Survey, 10(2), 263–278. https://doi.org/10.1080/09700160308450087
Bhattacharya, A. (2025, June 1). Bangladesh's strategic leap with Türkiye in defence industry. BD Military. Retrieved from https://www.bdmilitary.com/defence-news/bangladesh-defence-industry/bangladeshs-strategic-leap-with-turkiye -in-defence-industry/ 1550/
Bhattacharya, A. (2025, May 30). Bangladesh–Türkiye defence industry cooperation: Strategic prospects and constraints. BD Military. Retrieved from https://www.bdmilitary.com/defence-news/bangladesh-defence-industry/ bangla deshturkiye- defence-industry-cooperation-strategic-prospects-and-constraints/1489/
Çelik, Z. N. (2025, April 14). Turkish foreign minister meets Bangladesh foreign affairs adviser. Anadolu Agency. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/turkish-foreign-minister-meets-bangladesh-foreign-affairs-adviser/3538065
Colakoğlu, S. (2019). Turkey–Bangladesh relations: A growing partnership between two friendly nations. Middle East Institute. Retrieved June 3, 2025, from https://www.mei.edu/publications/turkey-bangladesh-relations-growing-partnership-between-two-friendly-nations
Cumhuriyet. (1980, January 17). Cumhuriyet, p. 6.
Daily Sabah with AA. (2016, April 21). World's children come to Turkey for April 23 Children's Day celebrations. Daily Sabah. Retrieved from https://www.dailysabah.com/life/2016/04/21/worlds-children-come-to-turkey -for-april- 23-childrens-day- celebrations
Daily Sabah. (2019, December 26). Turkey to take new steps toward Asia Anew initiative. Daily Sabah. Retrieved from https://www. dailysabah.com/ diplomacy/ 2019/12/26/turkey-to-take-new-steps-toward-asia-anew-initiative
Davutoğlu, A. (2001). Stratejik Derinlik: Türkiye'nin Uluslararası Konumu. Küre Yayınları.
Dhaka Tribune. (2025, January 9). Dr Yunus urges Türkiye to invest, relocate factories in Bangladesh. Dhaka Tribune. https://www. dhakatribune.com/ bangladesh/ foreign-affairs/370405/dr-yunus-urges-t%C3%BCrkiye-to-invest-relocate
Dış Ekonomik İlişkiler Kurulu (DEİK). (2018). Bangladeş ziyaret notları. Retrieved August 14, 2021, from https://www.deik.org.tr/uploads/banglades-ziyaret-notlari. pdf
Eaton, R. M. (1993). The rise of Islam and the Bengal frontier, 1204–1760. University of California Press.
Economic Relations Division, Government of Bangladesh. (n.d.). Joint Economic Commission (JEC) Overview. Retrieved June 3, 2025, from https://erd.portal.gov.bd/sites/default/files/files/erd.portal.gov.bd/page/db6db4c7_566d_4b43_9f5a_233b12cace0e/JEC_Brief%20%281%29.pdf
Exclusive interview of the Turkish Ambassador Devrim Öztürk. (2018, March 10). The Daily Observer. Retrieved from https://www.observerbd.com/news/126541
Foreign Economic Relations Board of Türkiye (DEİK). (n.d.). Türkiye–Bangladesh Business Council. Retrieved June 3, 2025, from https://www.deik.org.tr/turkiye-asia-pacific-business-councils-turkiye-bangladesh-business-council?pm=28
Fuad, A. R., & Polat, M. (2025). The forgotten allure in Ottoman archives: Tracing Bengal’s financial solidarity to Ottoman wars, 1911–1913. Osmanlı Medeniyeti Araştırmaları Dergisi, 25, 191–218. https://doi.org/ 10.21021/osmed. 1551106
Haque, E. (2024, October). Asia Anew Initiative and Bangladesh–Türkiye defense ties: Implications in South Asian geopolitics. ResearchGate. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/384501408
Hardy, P. (1972). The Muslims of British India. Cambridge University Press.
Heitzman, J., & Worden, R. L. (1988). Bangladesh: A country study. U.S. Government Printing Office. https://publishing.cdlib. org/ucpressebooks/ view ?docId= ft06 7n99v9 ;brand= ucpress
Islam, M. N. (2020). Turkey, Asia anew and South Asia: A comparative assessment on bilateral relations and soft power policy with Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan. TURAN-SAM, 12(47), 379–398.
Islam, O. (2022, January 11). Bangladesh, Turkey sign new security and counterterrorism deal. The Diplomat. Retrieved from https://thediplomat.com/2022/01/ bangladesh-turkey-sign-new-security-and-counterterrorism-deal/
Kamruzzaman, M. (2021, June 23). Bangladeş Dışişleri Bakanlığı Müsteşarı Momen: Askeri teçhizatları kaliteli olduğu için Türkiye'den tedarik ediyoruz. Anadolu Ajansı. Retrieved from https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/dunya/banglades-disisleri-bakanligi-mustesari-momen-askeri-techizatlari-kaliteli-oldugu-icin-turkiyeden-tedarik-ediyoruz/2282522
Karim, T. A. (2022, February 18). Bangladesh-Turkey relations: Past, present, future. Dhaka Courier. Retrieved from https://www. dhakacourier.com.bd/news/Column/ Bangladesh- Turkey-Relations:-Past-present-future/4421
Khan, W. J. (2020, December 15). Turkey-Bangladesh relationship: Aiming for a new high. The Business Standard. Retrieved from https://www.tbsnews. net/thoughts/ turkey- bangladesh- relationship- aiming-new-high-171844
Konya Büyükşehir Belediyesi. (2012, April 13). Konya ile Bangladeş'in Sylhet şehri arasında kardeş şehir protokolü imzalandı.
Mahmud, F. (2017, December 22). Rohingya crisis brings Turkey and Bangladesh closer. Al Jazeera. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera. com/news/2017 /12/22/ rohingya-crisis-brings- turkey-and-bangladesh-closer
Mazumdar, A. (2021). From “Look East” to “Act East”: India’s evolving engagement with the Asia-Pacific region. Asian Affairs, 52(2), 357–374.
Milliyet. (1978, October 4). Milliyet, p. 3.
Milliyet. (1979, October 9). Milliyet, p. 11.
Mohan, C. R. (2021). What India must keep in mind when it comes to Turkey. The Indian Express. Retrieved from https:/ /indianexpress.com/ article/opinion/ columns/ what- india-must-keep-in-minding-when-it-comes-to- turkey- 7390597/
Nath, S. S. (2023, May 13). Bangladesh-Turkey 3rd military dialogue: Will it boost defense cooperation? Eurasia Review New & Analysis. Retrieved from https://www.eurasiareview.com/13052023-bangladesh-turkey-3rd-military-dialogue-will-it-boost-defense-cooperation-oped/
Oran, B. (2001). Türk dış politikası: Kurtuluş Savaşından bugüne olgular, belgeler, yorumlar (Vol. 3: 2001–2012). İstanbul: İletişim Yayınları.
Ozkan, M. (2007). Turkey in the Islamic world: An institutional perspective. Turkish Review of Middle East Studies, 18, 180.
Rahaman, M. S. N. (1995). Islam and its early introduction in Bengal. Proceedings of the Indian History Congress, 56, 425–434.
Rahman, A. (2022). Bilateral and regional dimensions of the relations between Turkey and Bangladesh [Master’s thesis, ProQuest Dissertations Publishing]. ProQuest. Retrieved from https://search.proquest.com/
Rahman, M. H. (2024, February 3). A comprehensive defense partnership: Interpreting Türkiye’s role in Bangladesh’s military modernization drive. The Geopolitics. Retrieved from https://thegeopolitics.com/a-comprehensive-defense-partnership-interpreting-turkiyes-role-in-bangladeshs-military-modernization -drive/
Raj, Y. (2020, September 23). India slams Turkish President Erdogan’s Kashmir remarks at UNGA. Hindustan Times. Retrieved from https://www .hindustantimes. com/ world- news/indiaslams -turkish-president-erdogan-s-kashmir-remarks-at-unga/story
Rashid, H. U. (2015). International relations and Bangladesh. Dhaka: The University Press Limited.
Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Economy. (n.d.). Economic policies and trade information. Retrieved from http://www.ekonomi.gov.tr/
Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (n.d.). Asia Anew Initiative. Retrieved June 3, 2025, from https://www.mfa.gov.tr/asia-anew-initiative.en.mfa
Sakib, S. M. N. (2025, April 12). Bangladesh invites Türkiye to invest in its economic zones. Anadolu Agency. Retrieved from https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/bangladesh-invites-turkiye-to- invest-in-its-economic-zones/ 353 6355
Samiha, S. M. (2024). Türkiye'nin Bangladeş ile ilişkilerinde yumuşak güç faktörü (Master’s thesis). ProQuest Dissertations Publishing.
Sarısır, S. (2019). Türkiye’nin Bangladeş’i tanıması ve Türkiye-Bangladeş ilişkilerinin ilk yılları (1974–1980). Tarih Araştırmaları Dergisi, 38(65), 565–594. https://doi.org/10.35239/tariharastirmalari.619685
T.C. Ticaret Bakanlığı. (2024). Bangladeş ülke profili. Retrieved from https://ticaret.gov.tr/data/5f1ff69513b87604785508c9/Banglade%C5%9F%20%C3%9Clke%20Profili-2024.pdf
T.C. Ticaret Bakanlığı. (n.d.). İkili anlaşmalar ve protokoller: Bangladeş. Retrieved August 14, 2021, from https://www.ticaret.gov.tr/yurtdisi-teskilati/guneyasya/ banglades/ikili-anlasmalar
Tarafdar, M. R. (1956). Husain Shahi Bengal 1494–1538 A.D. - A Socio-Political Study. Dhaka: Asiatic Society of Pakistan.
Temiz, S., & Aydoğdu, E. T. (2019). ASEAN ve Türkiye ilişkilerine bir bakış: Güneydoğu Asya'nın yükselen birliği olarak ASEAN. Iğdır Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi. Retrieved from https://dergipark.org.tr
The Business Standard. (2024, December 20). Take action-oriented initiatives, harness technology: Yunus tells D-8 members. The Business Standard. Retrieved from https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/take-action-oriented-initiatives-harness-technology-prof-yunus-tells-d-8-members-1023201
The Daily Star. (2007, June 15). TBCCI launches to boost trade. The Daily Star. Retrieved June 3, 2025, from https://www.thedailystar.net/2007/06/15/d7061505.htm
The Independent. (2017, July 16). Gulenists exist in Bangladesh. The Independent. Retrieved August 14, 2021, from https:// m.theindependentbd. com /printversion/details/104302
TRT World. (2025, January 8). Türkiye can replace India and others as Bangladesh's key trade partner. TRT World. Retrieved from https://www.trtworld.com/turkiye/turkiye-can-replace-india-others-as-bangla deshs -key- trade-partner- 18252373
Ullah, R. (2017). Bangladeş ve Türkiye: İkili ilişkilerin bir analizi. Sosyal ve Beşeri Bilimler Dergisi, 9(1), 30–44.
Üngör, Ç. (2025). Turkey’s Asia Anew initiative: The limits of middle power activism? Third World Quarterly, 46(4), 429–445. https://doi.org/ 10.1080/01436597. 2025.2478558
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). (n.d.). Bangladesh–Turkey BIT (1987). UNCTAD Investment Policy Hub. Retrieved June 3, 2025, from https://investmentpolicy.unctad.org/international-investment-agreements/ treaties/bilateral-investmenttreaties/387/bangladesh---turkey-bit- 1987
Van Schendel, W. (2009). A history of Bangladesh. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511997419
Walker, J. W. (2009). Turkey’s imperial legacy: Understanding contemporary Turkey through its Ottoman past.
Zorlu, F., & Alam, S. (2020, October 17). ‘Turkey is my 2nd home’: Bangladeshi envoy's bittersweet farewell. Anadolu Agency. Retrieved from https://www.aa. com.tr/en /life/-turkey-is-my-2nd-home-bangladeshi-envoys-bittersweet-farewell/2009702
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Mohammad Tanbeer
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
