Erdoğan hosts Pakistan's Sharif in Istanbul for wide-ranging talks

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Turkey and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif convened in Istanbul for extensive discussions aimed at enhancing their strategic partnership, rooted in mutual political alignment, defense collaboration, and shared regional interests. The meeting took place at Vahdettin Palace in Istanbul’s Üsküdar district, where Sharif was received in an official ceremony before engaging in a one-hour closed-door bilateral session with Erdoğan. This encounter marked the beginning of broader interactions involving senior officials from both nations, reflecting the depth of institutional engagement between the two countries.

The discussions spanned multiple domains, including trade expansion, defense industry cooperation, energy security, infrastructure investment, and digital connectivity. Both leaders examined current regional dynamics, focusing on tensions in the Middle East, developments in Afghanistan, counter-terrorism coordination, and overall stability in neighboring regions. A senior Turkish delegation participated in these talks, highlighting the multifaceted nature of the agenda. Key participants included Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, National Intelligence Organization chief İbrahim Kalın, Communications Director Burhanettin Duran, and presidential adviser Akif Çağatay Kılıç, representing diplomatic, security, and communication priorities.

Following the bilateral meeting, Erdoğan and Sharif continued their dialogue during a working lunch with ministers and senior advisers from both countries. Specific topics for follow-up included investment frameworks, defense industrial cooperation, and strategies to boost trade volumes. Economic relations remain a significant area of focus, with bilateral trade currently estimated at around $1.2 billion to $1.35 billion, falling short of the targeted $5 billion. Both governments have shown consistent interest in increasing Turkish investments in Pakistan, especially in energy, agriculture, transportation infrastructure, and emerging technology fields such as digital services and telecommunications.

Defense cooperation stands as the most robust aspect of the relationship, with Turkey serving as a major supplier of military equipment to Pakistan. This includes unmanned aerial systems, naval assets, and support for modernizing existing platforms. Joint training programs and intelligence-sharing arrangements have grown, with both nations exploring deeper industrial collaboration, co-production models, and joint research initiatives. Diplomatic efforts reflect ongoing high-level engagement between Ankara and Islamabad, including recent meetings at multilateral forums like the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in early 2026. Both countries frequently align their positions on international matters within multilateral organizations, reinforcing their shared geopolitical priorities.

The Istanbul talks coincide with broader initiatives to formalize cooperation through structures such as the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, which has previously generated agreements in defense, health, education, and trade. Erdoğan and Sharif are anticipated to deliver a joint press conference following the talks, outlining tangible results and indicating whether new agreements or memorandums of understanding have been established.

Meanwhile, Erdoğan engaged in a series of bilateral meetings with European leaders during the 36th NATO Summit in Ankara. Discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron centered on raising bilateral trade targets and reinforcing cooperation across various sectors. Regional and global developments were also addressed, with Erdoğan emphasizing the importance of strengthening NATO’s European pillar while maintaining allied ties. On Iran, he expressed optimism but caution regarding the Islamabad consensus, urging against provocations. Efforts to revive diplomacy concerning the Russia-Ukraine conflict were highlighted.

In meetings with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Erdoğan emphasized improving cooperation in defense industry, investment, energy, and trade. He also mentioned addressing remaining hurdles towards EU membership rather than obstacles in bilateral relations. Support for EU defense initiatives aligned with NATO’s framework was reiterated. Quadrilateral cooperation among Türkiye, Italy, Qatar, and Libya was noted, with plans to continue collaborative work under this mechanism. An invitation for Meloni to attend the COP31 Leaders Summit in Antalya was extended.

During his meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Erdoğan stressed advancing defense industry and trade cooperation between Türkiye and Germany. He supported EU defense initiatives complementary to NATO while cautioning against actions undermining the transatlantic bond. Concerns about potential disruptions in the understanding between Iran and the United States were raised, with Türkiye committed to promoting lasting peace. Merz was also invited to the COP31 Leaders Summit.

Interactions with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer were part of Erdoğan’s bilateral engagements during the NATO summit, though specifics of their discussion were not detailed.

Separately, President Erdoğan hosted U.S. President Donald Trump at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, marking Trump’s first visit to Türkiye in his two presidential terms and the first by a sitting U.S. President since the conclusion of the Biden administration. The meeting occurred amidst preparations for a key NATO summit. Trump expressed disappointment with NATO, questioning the alliance’s commitment to member states despite substantial financial contributions. He also commented on Türkiye’s potential reinstatement in the F-35 program, expressing confidence in Erdoğan’s reliability. The two leaders reaffirmed their strong personal rapport and friendship, pledging to address issues related to trade, military affairs, and Iran.