Revision as of 14:47, 13 June 2025

Türkiye is the official spelling. Indpaedia will use it in the text. However, in the page headline, we have used the normal 'u' for the convenience of readers looking for Türkiye on Indpaedia, because few Indian readers have 'ü' on their keyboards.

Friction

2020: India contemplates action for backing Pakistan

January 16, 2020: The Times of India

For backing Pak, trade with Turkey under scanner

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:

Turkey has sided with Pakistan on several issues, including voicing concerns over its proposed blacklisting by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

A Reuters report said the government was planning to cut oil and steel imports from Turkey. While there were suggestions on some restrictions on imports from Turkey, things have not moved beyond that stage, said sources.

During 2019-20, trade with Turkey was pegged at less than $7.8 billion, with imports of under $2.4 billion. Oil accounted for a bulk of the imports from Turkey.

2025: India takes action

Since May 7, 2025, following Turkey’s support for Pakistan during the India-Pakistan conflict and Operation Sindoor, a series of economic and institutional actions have been taken by Indian government bodies, corporations, and civil society against Turkish entities. Here is a concise list of these actions:

Academic and Cultural Boycotts Several prominent Indian educational institutions, including IIT Bombay, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Jamia Millia Islamia, IIT Roorkee, Chandigarh University, Kota University and Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU), have suspended or terminated academic collaborations and MoUs with Turkish universities and institutions.

Agricultural and construction material boycott Indian traders have stopped importing Turkish agricultural products (notably apples) and construction materials (notably marble, which previously comprised 70% of India’s marble imports).

Apples, Importing from Turkey Indian traders stopped it, affecting trade in agriculture.

Cancellation of Government Contracts The Indian government has reportedly cancelled a $2.3 billion shipbuilding consultancy contract with Turkey's Anadolu Shipyard, which was for constructing Fleet Support Ships for the Indian Navy.

Coffee, chocolates and fashion from Turkey Indian boycott of.

Contractors, Turkish, Phased Out The Indian government is reportedly considering a gradual economic disengagement, which includes phasing out Turkish contractors from public works projects in India.

Corporate and Institutional Actions Termination of Partnership by Go Homestays Indian travel brand Go Homestays ended its partnership with Turkish Airlines, citing Turkey's unsupportive stance towards India.

Credential Ceremony of Turkish Ambassador, Postponed The Indian Ministry of External Affairs deferred the credentials ceremony for the newly appointed Turkish ambassador, indicating diplomatic strain.

E-commerce platforms delist Turkish brands Major Indian e-commerce sites such as Flipkart’s Myntra and Reliance-owned AJIO have removed Turkish fashion brands like Trendyol, LC Waikiki, and Mavi from their platforms.

Film industry and entertainment boycott The All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) announced a complete boycott of Turkey for film shoots and cultural collaborations, prohibiting Indian film projects and artists from working in Turkey.

Marble Import Ban by Udaipur Traders Marble traders in Udaipur halted imports from Turkey, which previously accounted for 70% of India's marble imports.

Security clearance: Revocation in aviation India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation revoked the security clearance of Turkish ground-handling firm Çelebi, which operates at multiple Indian airports.

Trade Body Directives The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has called for a complete halt to trade, tourism, and entertainment ties with Turkey and Azerbaijan, urging all members to remove Turkish products from their supply chains.

Trade boycott by Indian retailers The All India Consumer Products Distributors Federation, representing 13 million retailers, has urged its members to stop selling Turkish food and cosmetic products.

Trade Boycott in Prayagraj Traders in Prayagraj initiated a comprehensive boycott of Turkish products, impacting trade worth over Rs 700 crore annually.

Trade Restrictions, Calls for Organizations like the Swadeshi Jagran Manch urged the government to impose higher duties on Turkish imports and suspend direct flights to Turkey.

Trade suspension, Pressure for wider While the Indian government has not officially banned all trade with Turkey, there is mounting pressure from business groups and civil society for a formal suspension, similar to the ban imposed on Pakistan.

Travel and tourism restrictions Indian travel agencies including MakeMyTrip, EaseMyTrip, and Ixigo have suspended package offerings to Turkey and issued advisories against visiting the country.

Turkish Products, Nationwide Boycott of The All India Consumer Products Distributors Federation announced a total boycott of Turkish goods, affecting products like chocolates, jams, and skincare items.

Mizoram project

Turkish firm axed from contract for Mizoram project

New Delhi : NHIDCL, a company under road transport ministry, has cancelled a construction supervision contract for a road tunnel project in Mizoram awarded to a JVof railway PSU RITES and a Turkish firm, citing failure to submit “national security clearance.” The move comes in the wake of Ankara’s support to Pakistan during OperationSindoor, reports Dipak Dash . On May 28, NHIDCL asked the JV to obtain security clearance from home ministry. However, despite reminders, the JV “failed to comply with this essential requirement.” In view of the “strategic sensitivity of the project,” NHIDCL terminated the contract.

Tourists from India to Turkey

2024

May 15, 2025: The Times of India

Bookings for Turkiye and Azerbaijan have dropped 60%, and cancellations jumped by 250% in just one week,” a MakeMyTrip spokesperson said.

Travel agents across major metros reported that public outrage is translating into decisive action. “There’s a growing perception that Indian money spent on tourism could be fuelling hostile actions against us,” said a Mumbai-based agent.


RPG Group chairperson Harsh Goenka weighed in online. “Indians gave over Rs 4,000 crore last year to Turkiye and Azerbaijan through tourism... Today, both stand with Pakistan after Pahalgam. Plenty of beautiful places in India and the world. Please skip these two places.” 


Indian outbound travel to both countries had surged before tensions escalated. Turkiye saw nearly 3.3 lakh Indian tourists in 2024, a 21% jump from the previous year. Azerbaijan welcomed 2.4 lakh Indians — more than double its 2023 figure. Direct connectivity by airlines like IndiGo played a role in boosting interest. 


But fallout has been swift. EaseMyTrip estimates Indian tourists spent $350-400 million in Turkiye last year alone, with average spending per person ranging between $1,200-1,500. That flow has slowed dramatically. 
Travel industry groups like Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) and Travel Agents’ Federation of India (TAFI) have stopped promoting both destinations. Refunds are being processed, with select airlines cooperating, said TAAI’s south region chairperson Devaki Thyagarajan.


Digital visa platform Atlys confirmed a steep drop in Azerbaijan-bound applications, despite the country’s growing popularity as a budget-friendly alternative to Europe. “People wanted something new beyond Singapore or Thailand. Azerbaijan offered a European feel at a fraction of the price,” said Sejoe Jose of Indian Association of Tour Operators. “That interest has disappeared.” 


Kolkata has seen Turkiyebound travellers fall from 200 aday to under 50. Azerbaijan’s daily footfall has dropped to single digits, said TAAI east chairman Anjani Dhanuka.

MakeMyTrip and EaseMyTrip data show a 30% spike in Azerbaijan cancellations and a22% increase for Turkiye. 
Agents now suggest similarly priced destinations. For couples who once chose Turkiye, where a weeklong trip cost Rs 3-4 lakh, alternatives include Russia, Hungary, Czech Republic or Germany. Azerbaijan’s budget travellers are being redirected to Vietnam, Singapore, Bali or Dubai. 
(Inputs from Tamaghna Banerjee & Subhro Niyogi in Kolkata; & Ayyappan V in Thiruvananthapuram)

Year-wise developments

2020

Naomi Canton, February 18, 2020: The Times of India

India issues demarche to Turkey, says it is justifying Pak’s cross-border terrorism

India again hit out at Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for his support to Pakistan on the Kashmir issue, issuing a demarche to Ankara’s ambassador. “We particularly reject the repeated attempts by Turkey to justify the cross-border terrorism practised so blatantly by Pakistan,” MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said.

2020: Erdogan says J&K like Gallipoli; supports Pakistan on Kashmir

Erdogan likens J&K situation to Gallipoli battle, February 15, 2020: The Times of India

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated his country’s support to Pakistan on Kashmir, telling a joint session of parliament that India’s decision to revoke the erstwhile state’s special status had “exacerbated the troubles of our Kashmiri brothers and sisters”.

“They have suffered for decades,” Erdogan, who is on a two-day trip to Pakistan, said in a speech aired live by all state-run and private TV stations in Pakistan. “It was Canakkale (a reference to the Gallipoli campaign during the First World War) yesterday and it is Kashmir today, there is no difference.”

Harking back to what Pakistan once did for Turkey, Erdogan said: “We have never forgotten, and will never forget the help that the Pakistani people extended by sharing their bread during our War of Independence. Now, Kashmir is and will be the same for us.”

The Turkish President said the “Kashmir issue” could be resolved “through justice and fairness” rather than conflict. “Such a solution will be in the interest of all parties. Turkey will continue to stand by justice, peace and dialogue.”

Besides joining hands on Kashmir, Erdogan extended Turkey’s support to Pakistan against the application of political pressure by the inter-governmental Paris-based Financial Action Task Force (FATF). “We are fully cognizant of the problems faced by Pakistan and we will continue to extend cooperation to it to cope with these. Despite all the pressure, I assure you Turkey’s unflinching support at the FATF,” he said. “Our friendship is based on love and respect. Pakistan’s pain is our pain.”

Referring to other conflict zones, Erdogan said it was Turkey’s “responsibility to provide assistance to Muslims, no matter where they are”. Erdogan’s endorsement of Pakistan’s stance on J&K has been a sore point in its relations with India.