Which can be a good model for democratic transformation in the Arab world, India or Turkey? If the question surprised foreign minister Ahmet Davutoglu of Turkey, he did not show it.
“Each has its own characteristics,” he said with an ease that came with years of academic and diplomatic experience, before carefully adding that “for some Arab intellectuals and observers from the region (the Turkish model) is seen as a success story”. The popular uprising in Egypt has generated a debate about whether the Arab countries ruled by monarchs or autocrats could learn from Turkey’s example where the ruling AKP, a conservative party with Islamic roots, was swept to power in 2002.
The military sees itself as an arbiter in Turkish politics but the government has of late sought to extend civilian control over it.
Mr Davutoglu, who was in New Delhi for participating in a conference, noted that “if (Turkey’s) experience is a good case for other brotherly and sisterly nations, of course we will be happy to contribute” — something that India as the world’s largest democracy is keen to do, too. The Indian ambassador in Cairo is understood to have been sensitised about external affairs minister S.M. Krishna’s discussion with his American counterpart Hillary Clinton on how India can help Egypt in its election process and consolidation of democratic institutions.
Mr Davutoglu said that the political unrest sweeping the Arab world had sent out the clear message that people should be allowed to peacefully express their demands and governments must respond by taking necessary remedial steps. He said that Turkey wanted “all political movements”, including the Muslim Brotherhood, to be active in the new Egyptian politics, and use democratic means and respect public order to facilitate a smooth transition. Mr Davutoglu had “extensive consultations” with vice-president Hamid Ansari and Mr Krishna on “regional and global issues”, including, but not limited to, Iran’s nuke programme.
he said, “Turkey will continue to consult all of our friends to achieve some solution” to some of these issues, and he hoped that “India also can contribute to regional and global processes”.