GROUP BEHIND COUP BID HAS INFILTRATED INDIA: TURKEY

TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER SAID HE HAS ALREADY TAKEN UP THE ISSUE WITH SUSHMA SWARAJ

NEWDELHI: Fethullah Gulen Terrorist Organisation (FETO), blamed for last month’s failed coup to topple President Tayyip Erdogan in Turkey, has “infiltrated” India, according to Turkish foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.

Asserting that FETO is “secretive transnational criminal network” with presence around the world, Cavusoglu said, “Unfortunately, FETO has also infiltrated India through associations and schools.”

In an interview to PTI after holding talks with his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj, the Turkish foreign minister also said, “I have already taken up this issue with my counterpart.”

The visiting minister said, “In all countries where FETO has a presence, we ask them to take immediate actions to remove them from their territories.” Asked for a response to the minister’s comments, external affairs ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said the Indian side is “sensitive” to Turkish concerns and Indian security agencies were “looking into” Ankara’s demand for closure of associations connected with FETO which were carrying out illegal activities.

Asserting that terrorism, in all its forms and manifestations constitute a threat to India and Turkey, Cavusoglu said, “Therefore, exchange of information regarding these threats and bilateral and multilateral cooperation and solidarity against terrorism is crucial.” “This is what both Turkey and India are focused on,” he said.