Salim Dola deportation signals thaw in ties with Turkey

Turkey's decision to deport Salim Dola, a close associate of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim and a wanted drug trafficker, to India came as a result of sustained coordination and cooperation between the security agencies of the two countries.

While Turkey remains an ally of Pakistan, Ankara's decision to deport Dola follows engagement with New Delhi on cross-border security matters and international crimes, according to persons familiar with the issue.

The cooperation is still at a nascent stage and evolving, and New Delhi expects Ankara to adopt a more predictable approach in the future, according to one of the persons quoted above.


India and Turkey maintain a Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism, established in 2003. Formal channels also exist between the National Security Councils of the two countries.

The deportation of Dola also took place within weeks of the India-Turkey Foreign Office Consultations, during which both sides held frank discussions on New Delhi's concerns regarding cross-border terrorism and its global linkages, it has been learnt.

The 12th round of India-Turkiye Foreign Office Consultations was held in New Delhi on April 8 after a gap of four years, signalling an attempt to move forward since the Pahalgam terror attack.

A comprehensive review of bilateral relations, with a focus on enhancing trade, tourism, and cultural cooperation, was held during the consultations. Discussions also covered regional developments, global challenges, and a key focus on cooperation in combating cross-border terrorism, according to an official.