ISLAMABAD/NEW DELHI —
The growing nexus between Islamabad-Ankara-Baku is expected to deepen and
broaden further during the visit of Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to
Azerbaijan after concluding his ongoing visit to Iran.
According to reports, a trilateral summit of Pakistan,
Turkey and Azerbaijan is expected to be held in Lachin, a strategic city that
connects Azerbaijan to Armenia, in the next 48 hours to take "important
decisions on joint strategies" in several fields, including defence.
"This high-level trilateral meeting between the heads
of state/government of Turkey, Azerbaijan and Pakistan will be held in the city
of Lachin, Azerbaijan, which is known for its natural beauty and strategic
importance. The meeting is being held to consider the regional situation
arising after the recent conflict between Pakistan and India, explore
opportunities for mutual cooperation, and formulate a strategy for a common
future," Pakistani media reported on Tuesday.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will be paying a
visit to Azerbaijan on Wednesday, the Turkish media also confirmed on Tuesday.
Sharif arrived in Tehran on Monday after wrapping up his
visit to Istanbul. From Azerbaijan, he is scheduled to travel to Tajikistan,
the last leg of his hastily-planned four-nation tour after India's decisive
Operation Sindoor that demolished terror camps and infrastructure in Pakistan
and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), earlier this month.
Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff
(COAS) General Asim Munir and Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar
are also part of the touring party.
On Sunday, the Pakistan PM met Erdogan for the second time
in a month. Erdogan had earlier hosted Pakistan's Prime Minister in Ankara on
April 22, the day a barbaric terror attack took place in Pahalgam, resulting in
the death of 26 innocent civilians. Erdogan had also paid a State Visit to
Pakistan in February 2025. The Turkish President had also paid a State Visit to
Pakistan in February 2025.
Both Turkey and Azerbaijan have openly expressed solidarity
with Pakistan and backed Islamabad in its military standoff with India, this
month.
Pakistan had targetted Indian civilian, military and
religious sites by using Turkey's indigenously-developed armed drone system
Asisguard Songar drones that were neutralised by India's strong air defences.
Analysts reckon that Pakistan, cornered and left with just a
handful of 'all-weather friends', is working hard to build an anti-India stand
while Turkey under Erdogan tries to position itself as a Muslim world leader.
Interestingly, Sharif had visited Baku in February this year
on a two-day official visit.
An advance party led by Tariq Bajwa, Special Assistant to
the Prime Minister of Pakistan, is already camped in Baku ahead of Sharif's
visit and holding meetings with representatives of the Azerbaijani government.
On Monday, Sharif sent a congratulatory letter to Azerbaijan
President Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of Independence Day (May 28),
appreciating his "steadfast support" to Pakistan "during the
recent crisis with India".
"Excellency, we are also grateful to our Azerbaijani
brethren for their unwavering solidarity with Pakistan. Indeed, as true
brothers, our hearts always beat in unison, especially as our destinies are
intertwined. I greatly look forward to my visit to your beautiful country in
the coming days," the Pakistani Prime Minister wrote.
