Türkiye, Azerbaijan, and Pakistan not only act as one of the main pillars of the regional security architecture, but also jointly shape a new geo-economic rise paradigm amid modern geopolitical challenges.
The increasing political coordination among these three strategic allied states, synchronized action in the field of defense, and integration in transport and communication projects turn them into key players in global trade and energy routes. Türkiye, Azerbaijan, and Pakistan are emerging as a new power center in 21st-century multilateral diplomacy.
New geopolitical power axis: Türkiye-Azerbaijan-Pakistan
In an article written for Anadolu Agency, Associate Professor Dr. Furkan Kaya, a lecturer at Yeditepe University in Türkiye, analyzed the trilateral alliance established between Türkiye, Azerbaijan, and Pakistan.
According to Dr. Furkan Kaya, Türkiye, Azerbaijan, and Pakistan have formed a strong alliance through strategic cooperation that opens up new geopolitical and economic opportunities: “One of the most important features of this strategic triangle is the potential for establishing a multifaceted direct dialogue between the Turkic world and the South Asian Islamic world. During the national struggle period, the significant support provided by Asian Muslims contributed not only to the founding of the Republic of Türkiye, but also to the defense of Anatolia and the security of Turkestan and Asian Muslims. Later, the strategic pillars formed on the basis of the solid foundation laid with the Turkic world turned into a hope for peace in the region. In the Karabakh victory, the trilateral diplomatic and military cooperation of Türkiye-Azerbaijan-Pakistan played a special role. The power bloc formed among these three countries undertakes not only a military challenge but also an important unifying role that highlights the necessity of being together. In this context, during the 'Three Brothers' military exercises held in Baku in 2021, despite being located in different geographies, the three countries demonstrated their potential to form a bloc based on common security and national values. This revealed how vital new security cooperations are in terms of regionalization.”
Sultan Zahidov, the leading advisor at the Center for the Analysis of International Relations also told APA that the alliance formed between Türkiye, Azerbaijan, and Pakistan goes beyond geographical borders and is becoming a strong security and cooperation platform based on shared history, trust, and strategic interests.
According to him, this alliance is a strategic trilateral cooperation model that truly reflects friendship, brotherhood, and common interests:
“The friendship and strategic partnership formed between Türkiye, Azerbaijan, and Pakistan is based on deep cooperation in various fields. Alongside political, economic, and cultural ties, these three countries consistently defend each other's sovereignty and national interests on international platforms. Mutual trust and support have elevated these relations from diplomatic frameworks to the level of a strategic alliance and recently, amid regional and global security challenges, trilateral cooperation has become even more relevant. When tensions arose between Pakistan and India, Islamabad first reached out to Türkiye and Azerbaijan, which shows the trust in these countries. Similarly, Türkiye and Pakistan’s support for Azerbaijan during the Second Karabakh War is a clear example of the unwavering solidarity within this union. This trilateral cooperation positively impacts not only the participating countries but also the stability and security of a wider region – the Middle East, Central Asia, and Eurasia. This security and cooperation platform, extending from Türkiye to the Indian Ocean, creates important opportunities for sustainable development and peace in the region. This friendship and alliance model can serve as an example for regional cooperation in the future.”
From joint exercises to permanent integration: The new balance of power
Dr. Furkan Kaya writes in his article that the foundation of cooperation between Türkiye and Pakistan in the defense industry is deepening further. Based on the $1.5 billion contract signed with Pakistan in 2018 within the framework of the MILGEM project, the delivered “Babur” class frigates are among the most extensive defense agreements signed between the two countries.
“On the other hand, the joint military exercises carried out by Türkiye and Azerbaijan, in addition to being an indicator of the strategic alliance between the two brotherly countries, also formed a high-level strategic partnership concept both militarily and politically. For example, with the Declaration signed in Shusha on June 15, 2021, by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and President Ilham Aliyev, relations between the two countries were officially raised to the level of strategic alliance. In 2023, with the “Mustafa Kemal Atatürk” exercise held in Nakhchivan, the two countries demonstrating their joint military capabilities and showed that continuous military integration exists against those who seek to disrupt stability in the region. In this regard, with the emergence of the Zangezur corridor, Türkiye's geopolitical influence in the South Caucasus is increasing, and the strengthening of bilateral coordination is forming resistance in the region, especially against Russian-Iranian influence,” - Dr. Furkan Kaya noted.
Sultan Zahidov believes that the geopolitical alliance formed between Azerbaijan, Türkiye, and Pakistan plays an important role as a joint power platform for Eurasian stability and regional cooperation amid international disorder: “The current international system is undergoing a period of serious tectonic changes. The increase in conflicts and wars in different regions, and the insufficient effectiveness of international organizations, especially the UN, in resolving these problems directs states more towards regional cooperation. In this context, the formation of new alliances in trilateral and quadrilateral formats becomes relevant. In this landscape, the geopolitical axis of Azerbaijan-Türkiye-Pakistan emerges as a necessity dictated by current international realities. However, unlike other blocs, this alliance carries not a divisive but a unifying function. Its main goal is to create a stability and cooperation platform that connects Europe with the Middle and Near East, as well as with Far Asia. This strategic line formed by Ankara, Baku, and Islamabad covers the most sensitive regions of Eurasia. In addition to ensuring the security of both East-West and North-South transport corridors, this axis has the potential to contribute to the stability and economic development of the Eurasian continent. Future transport, energy, and trade projects to be implemented will further strengthen this trilateral cooperation. One of the important directions of this cooperation is the military field. The long-standing military cooperation between Azerbaijan and Türkiye is now continuing in a trilateral format with the participation of Pakistan in recent times. Joint military exercises not only increase the coordination of the three countries in the field of security but also serve the integration of their military potentials. However, the goal of the Azerbaijan-Türkiye-Pakistan alliance is not limited to military cooperation. This format envisions broad integration in political, economic, trade, cultural, scientific, and educational fields as well. According to international relations theory, the main condition for successful integration is the presence of common interests and values among the parties. In this regard, the three countries are united not only by historical, religious, and cultural ties but also by shared strategic interests, especially ideas of regional peace, stability, and development.”
From TANAP to the Indian Ocean
Touching on the energy issue, Dr. Furkan Kaya notes in his article that Azerbaijan, Türkiye, and Pakistan are forming a strategic geoeconomic platform independent of blocs through energy corridors: “The other important gain area of the strategic triangle is the energy corridors and the areas of interest formed within the framework of the geoeconomic vision. Türkiye, Azerbaijan, and Pakistan are located at the center of Eurasian energy geopolitics. This axis, established along the East-West and North-South routes, creates concern for China, the USA, and Russia, because this axis can advance its strategic priorities without being under the influence of any bloc. For example, TANAP and the Southern Gas Corridor are among the main routes considered alternatives to Russian gas for Europe, especially at a time when the fate of the Russia-Ukraine war is still uncertain. Türkiye, through this corridor, gains a strategic advantage both as a transit country and as an energy terminal.”
Sultan Zahidov, who speaks about cooperation in the energy field between Azerbaijan, Türkiye, and Pakistan, believes that this cooperation, in addition to being a strategic step that can change the region’s energy map, offers prospects that can extend to Pakistan through the Southern Gas Corridor and Trans-Caspian projects despite geopolitical obstacles.
“There is great potential for cooperation among the three countries. This issue was also emphasized during the meeting held in Lachin. Azerbaijan and Türkiye have long been cooperating closely in the energy sector. Both countries are key participants in the mega-project Southern Gas Corridor. Today, Azerbaijani gas and oil are delivered to Europe over Türkiye through TANAP. At the same time, Azerbaijani oil is transported to world markets through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline passing through Turkish territory. Pakistan’s opportunities to join this energy infrastructure are currently being evaluated. Islamabad is extremely interested in this cooperation. This initiative holds strategic importance for both Azerbaijan and Türkiye and could be a significant leap in reshaping the region’s energy map. Pakistan’s participation in energy projects with Azerbaijan and Türkiye is also geopolitically important. However, some regional powers may try to hinder the realization of such cooperation. For example, if a direct energy line from Azerbaijan to Pakistan is planned in the future, two main routes are considered: either through Iranian territory or via the Trans-Caspian pipeline through Central Asia. Although the Trans-Caspian pipeline project has been on the agenda for a long time, there are also forces opposing it. In particular, Russia, which tries to keep the Central Asia region under control, does not support such projects. Moscow seeks to force the region’s energy infrastructure to pass through its territory and ensure its dominant role in the energy map. However, as seen in the example of the Caucasus, these ambitions do not always materialize. Azerbaijan has long been an initiator of energy routes that do not pass through Russian territory, and as a result of this policy, Europe is currently being supplied with Azerbaijani gas amid the Russia-Ukraine war,” Zahidov emphasized.
Development Corridors: Geoeconomic Routes from Gwadar Port to TANAP
In his analysis, Dr. Furkan Kaya notes that Pakistan’s geostrategic position and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, combining with Türkiye and Azerbaijan’s TANAP and Middle Corridor initiatives, create a strategic triangle playing an important role in forming a new multipolar geoeconomic order in Eurasia:
“Pakistan’s geographical position is very important in terms of the New Silk Road project implemented by China. In particular, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a massive project extending from Xinjiang (East Turkestan) to Pakistan’s Gwadar port. Valued at approximately 62 billion dollars, this economic corridor includes infrastructure, energy, automotive, and railway components and is the most critical phase of China’s Maritime Silk Road initiative. Thus, this project serves as a real ‘engine of development’ for the region. For the project to operate efficiently and securely, the Türkiye-Azerbaijan-Pakistan strategic triangle plays an important role. When TANAP, Caspian corridors, and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor are fully operational, they will make significant geopolitical contributions to Eurasia’s vision of multipolar power. Thus, the door to rising geoeconomic opportunities along the trilateral alliance line will be opened.”
According to Azerbaijani expert Sultan Zahidov, Azerbaijan, Türkiye, and Pakistan have the potential to become a strategic transportation and communication hub connecting East and West through the Middle Corridor and the Gwadar port, and joint cooperation opportunities in this direction are rapidly expanding.
“Azerbaijan, Türkiye, and Pakistan are also connected by transportation and communication projects. Today, Azerbaijan and Türkiye are key participants in the Middle Corridor transportation route, which is playing an increasingly important role in the transportation of cargo from China to Europe and vice versa. Considering the current geopolitical situation, where the Northern and Southern sea routes face serious threats — the Russia-Ukraine war in the north and Houthi threats in the Red Sea in the south — this further increases the strategic importance of the Middle Corridor. Pakistan has real potential to actively join this corridor. For example, the Gwadar port has a cargo capacity of 50,000 DWT (deadweight tonnage), which is a large capacity and demonstrates the port’s regional geoeconomic significance. This port is particularly strategically important for China — it serves as an alternative maritime route to the Malacca Strait within the framework of the “One Belt, One Road” initiative. Cargo brought to the Gwadar port can be connected from here to other transport corridors, including the Middle Corridor. At the same time, cargo arriving via the Middle Corridor can be transported to the Gwadar port and from there redirected by sea to various regions. This model further increases Pakistan’s geopolitical importance in terms of transportation. Thus, the interests of Azerbaijan, Türkiye, and Pakistan overlap in this field. All three countries have the potential to become an important transportation and communication hub between East and West and are ready to make joint efforts to realize this potential,” Zahidov said.
Türkiye's strategic support to Pakistan
Turkish expert Dr. Furkan Kaya noted in his article that Türkiye openly supports Pakistan’s position on the Kashmir issue, which has been a “frozen conflict” between Pakistan and India for years: “On April 22, 2025, Pakistan declared that India’s leadership, which blamed it for the attack on the Pahalgam town in India, carried out a ‘false flag operation.’ The Kashmir conflict, ongoing since 1947 with the threat of nuclear confrontation, has now entered a new phase centered around the ‘water factor.’ Currently, efforts are being observed to drag Pakistan into war, especially to hinder the cooperation it has built along the Türkiye-Azerbaijan axis. Türkiye, however, declares that it stands with the Pakistani people under any circumstances.”
Speaking about the strong strategic and moral alliance formed between Azerbaijan, Türkiye, and Pakistan, Sultan Zahidov emphasized that all three countries consistently support each other’s sovereignty and international positions.
“Azerbaijan and Türkiye have always been at the forefront among the states that stand by Pakistan and provide it with open and consistent support. This friendship is mutual: Pakistan has for many years firmly defended the positions of both Azerbaijan and Türkiye. One of the unique indicators of these relations is that Pakistan remains the only country that has not recognized Armenia as a sovereign state to this day. Azerbaijan and Türkiye consistently defend Pakistan’s position, especially on the Kashmir and Jammu issues. Azerbaijan supports the resolution of this problem based on the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, particularly Resolution 47, that is, through holding a plebiscite in the region, which aligns with Pakistan’s position. During the recent escalation, the official statement by the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemning India’s attacks is also a concrete example of this strong political solidarity. Such steps show that relations between Azerbaijan, Türkiye, and Pakistan are not only strategic but also based on deep moral and diplomatic foundations,” he concluded.
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