Bangladesh–Turkey relations
Bangladesh–Turkey relations are the bilateral ties between Bangladesh and Turkey. Turkey has an embassy in Dhaka, and Bangladesh has an embassy in Ankara and a consulate in Istanbul. Both countries are members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
History between the two goes back centuries. Ottoman ports traded with Bengal as early as the 1580s, and Bengal’s shipbuilding in Chittagong supplied ships for Ottoman fleets in the 17th century. Bengal’s muslin was valued by the Ottomans, and Bengali Muslims supported the Ottoman Empire during various movements in the early 20th century.
In 2016, relations became tense when Bangladesh urged Turkey to stop pressing for the release of war crimes convicted Jamaat-e-Islami leaders. Turkey withdrew its ambassador after the executions of Jamaat leaders. After Bangladesh condemned a coup attempt against President Erdogan, relations improved, and Turkey sent a new ambassador to Dhaka, saying ties had become normal again and offering help to combat militancy.
During the Rohingya crisis, Turkey donated millions of dollars to help refugees in Bangladesh. In 2017, First Lady Emine Erdogan visited relief shelters and pledged continued aid.
Culturally and politically, Bangladesh and Turkey have long ties. Bangladesh’s people and leaders have shown support for Turkey’s history, and notable visits have occurred: Bangladesh’s Ziaur Rahman was the first Bangladeshi president to visit Ankara; Turkey’s leaders Ozal, Demirel, Gül, and Erdoğan visited Bangladesh or Dhaka, and Sheikh Hasina visited Ankara in 2012. In 2013, Turkey supplied Otokar Cobra armored vehicles to the Bangladeshi Army.
Defense and trade have grown closer. In 2021, Bangladesh and Turkey signed a government-to-government defense memorandum and a deal with Turkish firm REPKON to manufacture artillery shells in Bangladesh. Roketsan export deals also followed, and Bangladesh received the TRG-300 Tiger MLRS. In 2025, both sides looked to deepen defense cooperation, with plans to create defense industrial zones in Chittagong and Narayanganj with Turkish partners. Bangladesh has also bought MKE Boran howitzers and Bayraktar drones, and talks continue on more advanced weapons.
Trade between the countries is over $1 billion, with apparel a major Bangladeshi export to Turkey. Talks since 2012 about a free trade agreement have stalled mainly due to Turkey’s European Union bid. A 2012 joint protocol on trade and investment and regular Joint Economic Commission meetings keep the economic relationship active.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 14:36 (CET).