Turkish Warship Docks At Karachi Port Amid India-Pakistan Standoff

A Turkish Navy warship, TCG BÜYÜKADA, docked at Karachi Port on May 4, 2025 during a goodwill visit. According to Pakistan Navy’s media wing, the Turkish vessel received a ceremonial welcome from officials of both navies.

The ship is expected to stay at the port until May 7, with crew members engaging in professional exchanges and cooperative activities with the Pakistan Navy.

The visit, described as a gesture to boost maritime cooperation and mutual understanding, comes as tensions between India and Pakistan continue to escalate after the deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam that killed 26, including 25 tourists.

India has since blamed Pakistan for the incident and taken a series of retaliatory actions, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, closing the Attari border, banning Pakistani ships from Indian Ports, and cancelling visas for Pakistani nationals.

India’s Defence Minister was quoted in Indian media saying that the government would give a “befitting reply” in coordination with the armed forces to any threat against the country.

Goodwill visit of TCG BÜYÜKADA stands as testament to ever-strengthening maritime collaboration b/w Pakistan & Türkiye. It reflects deep-rooted mutual trust & strategic partnership between two brotherly nations, anchored in centuries-old historical & cultural ties. 2/2 pic.twitter.com/mZj8LD2vQc

— DGPR (Navy) (@dgprPaknavy) May 4, 2025

Meanwhile, Pakistani reports indicate that the visit of TCG BÜYÜKADA reflects growing military ties between the two nations. In recent years, both countries have deepened their defense cooperation.

Turkey is assisting Pakistan in upgrading its submarines, supplying drones and other military equipment, and conducting joint military drills like the recent ‘Ataturk-XIII’ exercise involving their special forces.

This naval arrival follows a Turkish Air Force C-130 recently landing in Karachi, sparking speculation about possible military cargo transfers.

Turkish authorities, however, clarified that the plane had only stopped for refueling and denied any weapons transfer, warning against spreading misinformation on social media.

TCG BÜYÜKADA, a modern Ada-class anti submarine warfare corvette, had previously made stops in Malaysia and Oman before reaching Karachi.

Pakistani media stated that its arrival is being seen as a sign of a strategic partnership between the two nations.

In 2022, both countries signed a defense deal under which Turkey would build four MILGEM corvettes for the Pakistani Navy, with two constructed in Istanbul and the remaining two in Karachi.

One of the ships, PNS Babur, has already been completed.

While Turkey maintains that the current port call is purely a goodwill mission, the visit has caught India’s attention given the sensitive situation.

References: news18, theweek

Source: Maritime Shipping News