India’s economic and social backlash against Turkey is escalating following Ankara’s public endorsement of Pakistan during the recent military conflict with India. The boycott has permeated various sectors, including aviation, tourism, trade, education, and retail, showcasing robust public sentiment and organized efforts from traders, consumers, and institutions across the nation. Travel and tourism have been particularly affected. Popular budget destinations such as Turkey and Azerbaijan—both predominantly Muslim countries that expressed support for Pakistan—are experiencing significant drops in Indian tourist arrivals. MakeMyTrip has reported a 60% decrease in flight bookings to these nations within just one week, with cancellations surging by 250%. Major travel platforms like EaseMyTrip, MakeMyTrip, and Ixigo have reacted by suspending bookings, ceasing promotions, and issuing advisories against non-essential travel. The aviation industry is also feeling the repercussions. On May 15, India’s Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) rescinded the security clearance for Celebi, a Turkish ground handling and cargo services provider operating at nine major airports. Most of these airports have since cut ties with Celebi. Furthermore, Air India has requested the Civil Aviation Ministry to obstruct a leasing agreement between competitor IndiGo and Turkish Airlines, citing both security and commercial issues.Trade organizations and distributors are spearheading efforts for a thorough boycott of Turkish products. The All India Consumer Products Distributors Federation, which represents 450,000 FMCG distributors, has called for a ban on a wide range of Turkish goods, including chocolates, wafers, jams, syrups, tea, coffee, cookies, cakes, packaged sweets, as well as personal care items like body washes, wet wipes, cosmetics, and skincare products. Retail giants Myntra, owned by Flipkart, and Ajio, owned by Reliance, have reportedly ceased selling apparel from Turkish brands such as Trendyol.
Turkish agricultural imports are currently under scrutiny. Traders and consumers throughout India have started to reject Turkish fruits, particularly apples. In Haridwar, patrons have publicly advocated for a complete boycott of Turkish fruits, while farmers in Himachal Pradesh have urged the government to impose import duties of up to 100% on Turkish apples to safeguard local producers.The educational sector is also affected. Numerous esteemed institutions, such as IIT Bombay, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Jamia Millia Islamia, Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Chandigarh University, and Lovely Professional University, have either suspended or severed connections with Turkish universities and organizations in light of the ongoing circumstances.During a national trade conference convened by the Confederation of All India Traders in New Delhi, more than 125 trade leaders reached a consensus to halt business transactions with Turkey and Azerbaijan, demonstrating a collective position from India’s business community.President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey has been an outspoken proponent of a “multilateral” approach to the Kashmir issue—a stance that India vehemently opposes. Erdogan’s recent trip to Pakistan in February, which aimed to bolster trade and military relations, has further exacerbated Indian apprehensions and public discontent.Despite the prevailing tensions, India’s trade with Turkey remains significant. From April 2024 to February 2025, India exported goods worth $5.2 billion to Turkey, encompassing mineral fuels, electrical machinery, automotive components, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and cotton. During the same timeframe, imports from Turkey amounted to $2.84 billion, including marble, fruits such as apples, gold, precious metals, and petroleum products.
