Bangladesh–Turkey relations

Bilateral relations

Bangladesh-Turkey relations

Turkey |
Bangladesh
Diplomatic mission
Turkish embassy, Dhaka| Bangladeshi embassy, Ankara

Bangladesh–Turkey relations are the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Turkey. Both countries are members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. Turkey has an embassy in Dhaka and Bangladesh has one in Ankara and a consulate in Istanbul.

## History

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An Ottoman fleet in the 16th century, not far from the Port of Chittagong.

### Early

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The two nations have had diplomatic relationships for several centuries. Ottoman ports were establishing trade links with Bengal by the 1580s.[1] The ancient shipbuilding industry at the Port of Chittagong provided for the entire fleet of Ottoman warships of the sultans in the 17th century.[2][3] The renowned muslin trade in Bengal was also welcomed by the Ottomans, who used the material for their turbans.[4]

Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed Ansari's All-India Medical Mission travelled to Constantinople in 1912 to provide medical aid to the Ottoman Empire during the Balkan Wars. One notable participant in the mission was the Bengali author Ismail Hossain Siraji.[5] Bengali Muslims continued to express their support to the Ottomans during the Khilafat Movement.[6]

### Modern

[edit]

In 2016, the diplomatic relationship between two countries became complex when Bangladesh denounced Turkey's consecutive requests to free several Bangladeshi Jamaat-e-Islami leaders who had been convicted for alleged war crimes during Bangladesh Liberation War by a domestic tribunal in Bangladesh, which was oddly named International Crimes Tribunal, and were eventually executed.[7][8] Following the execution of the Jamaat leader Motiur Rahman Nizami, Turkey withdrew its ambassador to Bangladesh.[9] However, after Bangladesh's condemnation of the coup d'état attempt to overthrow the Erdogan government, relations began to improve. Consequently, Ankara sent a new ambassador to Dhaka. After arrival, the new Turkish ambassador remarked, "Bangladesh had helped Turkey by expressing its support to Erdogan’s government after the failed coup attempt." The ambassador commented that the relations between the two countries have become normal. The ambassador also expressed Turkey's willingness in helping Bangladesh to control militancy in the country.[10]

During the Rohingya crisis, where the Muslim Rohingyas were being expelled from Myanmar, Turkey donated millions of dollars to the government of Bangladesh in order to aid the Rohingyas who are settling in Chittagong. In September 2017, First Lady Emine Erdogan visited and helped provide relief in the shelters of the Rohingyas and promised more co-operation and aid to Bangladesh.[11]

### Contribution to Turkish Independence

[edit]

During Turkish War of Independence, Turkish nation remembers the support received from the Muslims from South Asia including Bengalis. People all over from Bangladesh sent their support for the Turkish War of Independence.[12]

In 1921, National Poet of Bangladesh Kazi Nazrul Islam wrote a poem "Kemal Pasha" to praise Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. He was the only foreign poet to praise Atatürk and the Turkish War of Independence with a heroic poem.[12]

## High level state visits

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Former Bangladeshi president Ziaur Rahman became the first Bangladeshi head of state to visit Ankara. In 1986, the then Turkish prime minister, Turgut Ozal paid a visit to Bangladesh.[13] Turkish President Suleyman Demirel joined Nelson Mandela and Yasser Arafat at the silver jubilee celebrations of Bangladesh's independence in 1997. In 1998, the two countries co-founded the Developing 8 Countries group. Turkish president Abdullah Gul paid an official visit to Dhaka in 2010.[14] Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan paid a visit to Dhaka in 2010.[15][16] Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid an official visit to Ankara in 2012.[17]

## Defence cooperation

[edit]

Turkish made Otokar Cobra of Bangladesh Army

In 2013, Turkey supplied Otokar Cobra light armored vehicles to the Bangladesh Army.[18]

In June 2021, a turnkey 105 mm and 155 mm artillery sell production line establishment agreement was signed between Bangladesh and Turkish company REPKON. With the modern Free Flowforming (REPKON patented) technology and computerized machinery from REPKON, BOF will produce high-quality 105 mm and 155 mm artillery shells.[19][20] According to Uğur Cem Gürpınar, REPKON business development and corporate communications officer, "Bangladesh, like many friendly and allied countries, preferred REPKON because of its technology that is ahead of its competitors in the world".[19]

On 29 June 2021, Government to Government (G2G) defence memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between Bangladesh and Turkey. According to İsmail Demir, president of Presidency of Defense Industries, the export agreement of various products of Roketsan has been signed with Bangladesh.[21] Roketsan already delivered TRG-300 Tiger MLRS to the Bangladesh Army in June 2021 from a separate deal.[22] Bangladesh is set to become one of the top defence equipment clients of Turkey in next few years.

In January 2025, Bangladesh and Türkiye explored avenues for enhanced cooperation in the defence industry and other key sectors. [23]

In May-June 2025, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) announced plans to establish defence industrial zones in Chittagong and Narayanganj in collaboration with Turkish firms. During a visit to Turkey, BIDA Chairman Ashik Chowdhury held discussions with officials and toured MKE facilities. Bangladesh previously acquired MKE Boran howitzers and Bayraktar drones, with ongoing talks to procure advanced rocket systems and armoured vehicles, signalling growing bilateral defence cooperation.[24] According to officials, the proposed defence industrial clusters in Chittagong and Narayanganj—strategically located near key maritime and riverine routes—will be developed under the Bangladesh Economic Zones Act 2010. The Act offers tax incentives, customs exemptions, and flexible regulations for foreign investors. Turkish defence firm MKE is expected to send technical teams for site assessments. Negotiations are ongoing to finalise a memorandum of understanding (MoU) and establish a Defence Industrial Working Group to oversee bilateral coordination and project execution.[25]

## Economic relations

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Bangladesh and Turkey are among each other's key trading partners. The bilateral trade between the two countries is worth more than $1 billion.[26] Bangladeshi export items to Turkey have been dominated by apparel products. Since 2012, Bangladesh and Turkey have been in talks to sign a free trade agreement,[27] but signing of the agreement is halted due to the complications relating to Turkey's bid for accession to the European Union.[28][29] The shipbuilding industry of Bangladesh has also been identified as a potential sector for Turkish investment.[30]

Bangladesh and Turkey signed a joint protocol on trade and investment in 2012. The Bangladesh-Turkey Joint Economic Commission has been holding biennial meetings to discuss the ways for increasing bilateral trade and investment.[31]

## See also

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* List of ambassadors of Turkey to Bangladesh

## References

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1. ^ Casale, Giancarlo (2010-01-28). The Ottoman Age of Exploration. Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195377828.001.0001. ISBN 978-0-19-537782-8.
2. ^ Hossain, Khandakar Akhter (2012). "Shipbuilding Industry". In Sirajul Islam; Miah, Sajahan; Khanam, Mahfuza; Ahmed, Sabbir (eds.). Banglapedia: the National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Online ed.). Dhaka, Bangladesh: Banglapedia Trust, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. ISBN 984-32-0576-6. OCLC 52727562. OL 30677644M. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
3. ^ "Prospects of shipbuilding industry in Bangladesh". New Age. Archived from the original on 2013-12-17. Retrieved 2015-07-30.
4. ^ Ashmore, Sonia (2012). Muslin (Sonia Ashmore), Page 12. V&A Publishing. p. 12\. ISBN 9781851777143. Archived from the original on 2016-08-16. Retrieved 2022-02-25.
5. ^ Shah, Mohammad (April–June 2003). "Terrorism in Colonial Bengal: The Muslim Response". Journal of the Pakistan Historical Society. 51 (2): 24.
6. ^ Ahmed, Sufia (2012). "Khilafat Movement". In Sirajul Islam; Miah, Sajahan; Khanam, Mahfuza; Ahmed, Sabbir (eds.). Banglapedia: the National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Online ed.). Dhaka, Bangladesh: Banglapedia Trust, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. ISBN 984-32-0576-6. OCLC 52727562. OL 30677644M. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
7. ^ Reza, Pantha Rahman; Rezwan (2013-01-20). "Turkish President's Letter To Bangladesh Denounced". Global Voices. Global Voices Online. Retrieved 2016-05-16.
8. ^ Ramani, Samuel (4 July 2016). "Can Bangladesh and Turkey Mend Frayed Ties?". The Diplomat. Retrieved 7 September 2016.
9. ^ Dolan, David; Toksabay, Ece (2016-05-12). "Turkey withdraws Bangladesh ambassador after execution of Islamist: Erdogan". Reuters. Thomson Reuters. Retrieved 2016-05-16.
10. ^ Zaman, Sheikh Shahariar. "Turkey wants to restore ties with Bangladesh". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
11. ^ "Bangladesh-Turkey Ties Deepen Amid Rohingya Crisis". SRJ News. 5 April 2023. Archived from the original on 16 July 2021. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
12. ^ a b "Bengal's contribution to Turkish Independence". The Daily Star.
13. ^ Hossain, Mohammad Amjad (2012-04-13). "Bangladesh-Turkey ties: a close look". New Age. Dhaka. Archived from the original on 2016-07-01. Retrieved 2014-01-25.
14. ^ Muhammad Zamir (2010-02-15). "Consolidating Bangladesh-Turkey relations". The Daily Star. Archived from the original on 2014-02-02. Retrieved 2014-01-25.
15. ^ "PM Erdoğan Meets Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina Wajid". TRT English. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
16. ^ Harun ur Rashid (2010-11-16). "A new horizon of cooperation". The Daily Star. Archived from the original on 2014-02-02. Retrieved 2014-01-25.
17. ^ "PM reaches Turkey". The Daily Star. 2012-04-12. Archived from the original on 2014-02-02. Retrieved 2014-01-25.
18. ^ "Army gets new SP guns, Metis M-1 missiles". Natun Barta. 2013-12-22. Archived from the original on 2013-12-25. Retrieved 2014-01-25.
19. ^ a b "Bangladeş'in top mermilerinde Türk imzası" (in Turkish). Anadolu Agency. 24 June 2021. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
20. ^ "Leading Edge Metal Forming Methods for Modern Defense Industries". REPKON. Archived from the original on 11 July 2021. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
21. ^ "ROKETSAN Bangladeş'e ihracat yapacak (ROKETSAN will export to Bangladesh)" (in Turkish). Anadolu Agency. 29 June 2021. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
22. ^ "PM includes 'Tiger Multiple Launch Rocket System' in Bangladesh Army". The Daily Star. 2021-06-21. Retrieved 2021-07-01.
23. ^ "Turkish trade minister visits Bangladesh to boost ties". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 2025-07-07.
24. ^ "BIDA invites Turkish investments key sectors". BIDA-Explore Investment Opportunities in Bangladesh. 2025-05-29. Retrieved 2025-07-07.
25. ^ "Bangladesh and Türkiye Edge Closer to Defence Industrial Collaboration". Bangladesh Military Forces. 2025-05-29. Retrieved 2025-07-07.
26. ^ "Optimism for $10b Turkey-Bangla trade". The Bangladesh Chronicle. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 2014-01-25.
27. ^ Hafez Ahmed (2012-04-14). "Dhaka, Ankara to sign FTA soon". The Financial Express. Dhaka. Retrieved 2014-01-25.
28. ^ "Dhaka for FTA talks with Turkey". Dhaka Tribune. 2013-10-31. Retrieved 2014-01-25.
29. ^ Uddin, Jasim (2013-10-31). "Govt finalises draft framework of FTA with Turkey". New Age. Dhaka. Archived from the original on 2016-07-01. Retrieved 2014-01-25.
30. ^ Alam, Syed Ahsanul (2012-04-25). "Marketing of Turkey-Bangladesh ties". New Age. Dhaka. Archived from the original on 2016-07-01. Retrieved 2014-01-25.
31. ^ Hafez Ahmed (2012-11-13). "Dhaka, Ankara to raise trade to $3bn by 2015". Daily Sun. Archived from the original on 2014-02-01. Retrieved 2014-01-25.

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