New Delhi, July 27, 2025 — In a significant diplomatic appeal, Tuncer Bakırhan, the Co-Chair of the People’s Equality and Democracy Party (HEDEP) — a prominent pro-Kurdish political force in Turkey — has called on India to play a supportive role in reviving peace negotiations between the Turkish government and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

Speaking at an international conference on South Asian-West Asian democratic solidarity in New Delhi, Bakırhan said India’s historical and cultural connection to the Kurdish regions gives it a moral and geopolitical responsibility to assist in bringing lasting peace to the region.

“India is a civilisation with long-standing commercial, spiritual, and cultural relations with Kurdish lands. There is continuity between the Kurdish geography and India. With that continuity comes responsibility,” Bakırhan said.

India’s growing global clout brings new expectations

Bakırhan’s remarks come at a time when India is increasingly seen as a diplomatic player on the global stage, particularly in conflict resolution and democratic transitions. The Kurdish leader pointed to India’s recent peace-building roles in Sri Lanka, Palestine, and Afghanistan as examples of New Delhi’s growing influence.

“India is no longer just a South Asian power. It is a global democracy whose voice matters, especially when it comes to political reconciliation and the rights of minority communities,” he noted.

He urged the Indian government to act as a moral force, and encourage Ankara to return to the negotiating table with Kurdish representatives.

Background: The PKK conflict and peace breakdown

The PKK, considered a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the EU and the US, has been involved in a decades-long insurgency seeking greater autonomy for Kurds in Turkey. Over 40,000 people have died in the conflict since the 1980s.

• A peace process initiated in 2013 collapsed in 2015 following mutual accusations of ceasefire violations.

• Since then, violence has escalated, particularly in the southeastern Kurdish-majority regions of Turkey.

• The Turkish state has also intensified its crackdown on pro-Kurdish political parties, including HEDEP’s predecessor, the HDP, many of whose leaders are now in prison.

Bakırhan said that resumption of dialogue is the only way forward and that regional powers must no longer remain silent.

Strategic relevance for India

India has historically maintained a neutral stance on the internal affairs of Turkey, especially its Kurdish issue. However, with Ankara recently strengthening its ties with Pakistan and criticising India’s position on Kashmir, analysts say New Delhi may now have reasons to deepen its engagement with Turkey’s opposition and civil society.

• India’s increasing economic footprint in West Asia, particularly through energy and infrastructure partnerships, means its stance on regional conflicts now carries more diplomatic weight.

• Experts believe that supporting a peace process that aligns with human rights and democratic norms would enhance India’s moral credibility in international forums.

“India doesn’t have to take sides, but it can support dialogue, non-violence, and autonomy as democratic principles,” said Professor Ajay Patnaik, an expert on Eurasian politics.

Kurdish diaspora welcomes remarks

The Kurdish diaspora in Europe and South Asia, including several human rights groups in India, welcomed Bakırhan’s statement and called upon the Indian Parliament to hold a discussion on Turkey’s treatment of its Kurdish population.

Groups such as Friends of Kurdistan India and South Asia Solidarity Forum said they would petition the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to formally respond to Bakırhan’s appeal.

“India’s silence has been deafening. It’s time the world’s largest democracy speaks up,” said M. Javed, coordinator of South Asia Solidarity Forum.

Ankara's reaction and future outlook

There has been no official response yet from Turkey's embassy in New Delhi regarding Bakırhan’s statements. In the past, Ankara has reacted strongly to any external comment on its domestic Kurdish policies, often calling them interference in internal matters.

Nonetheless, diplomatic analysts suggest India could quietly explore back-channel communication, especially given its robust diplomatic corps in West Asia and its membership in multilateral bodies like the G20 and Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

“Even if India doesn’t intervene directly, it could push for civil society talks, academic exchanges, and people-to-people ties between the two regions,” said a retired Indian diplomat.

Conclusion: A chance for India to shape peace diplomacy

The call by Tuncer Bakırhan marks a rare and open invitation from a Turkish opposition leader for Indian involvement in a deeply sensitive conflict. It presents both a challenge and an opportunity for New Delhi — to uphold its democratic ideals abroad while managing its strategic interests.

As the Kurdish conflict threatens to further destabilise Turkey’s democracy, the world — and now India — may need to weigh the cost of silence against the promise of peaceful intervention.

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