A multiplication boycott of Türkiye – public spirit -motivated and strong by social media campaigns in India – has shown an economic and diplomatic impact.
Two weeks ago, a deadly battle arose between India and Pakistan after New Dehli, described as a “terrorist infrastructure” in Pakistan and Pakistan administered.
India launched attacks after a deadly attack on tourists in the city of Pahngam in Kashmir administered in India, killing 26 most Indian Hindu tourists.
New Delhi said that Pakistan-based group Lashkar-e-Tabiba, a nominated terrorist organization, carried out the attack and blamed Islamabad for supporting it. The Pakistani government denied the charge.
There was a rapid military growth, the two countries targeted the military installation of each other to missiles and drones.
Türkiye and Azerbaijan, both Muslim majority nations, who are popular budget holidays for Indians, issued statements supporting Islamabad in the struggle.
Tourism, trade and education hit
Social media campaigns and public resentment promoted a boycott call, with a hashtags such as #BoycottTurkey.
According to travel agencies, tourism for Turkey, in which at least 274,000 Indian visitors were seen last year, has declined – 60% below booking and canceled up to 250%.
Popular travel platforms such as Easemytrip, MakeMytrip, and ixigo have suspended booking, stopped publicity, or issued advice against non-essential travel.
Kerala Bharti Janata Party President Rajiv Chandrashekhar told reporters that: “Every hardworking Indian who travels abroad as a tourist understands that their hard-ear rupees are spent on those who help the enemies of our country.”
Last week, the Ministry of Civil Aviation of India canceled the security approval of the Turkish Aviation Company Celibi, which provided ground services at major Indian airports, which on the basis of “national security” with immediate effect. Celebi has initiated a legal challenge for the decision.
Canceling of Celebbi’s approval, India’s Junior Aviation Minister, Muralidar Mohol said on X that the government was requested to ban Celebi.
Mohol said, “Recalling the call to protect the seriousness of this issue and the call to protect the national interests, we have taken cognizance of these requests.”
Traders have rejected Turkish goods from Apple and marble to chocolate, coffee and jam. At a National Trade Conference in New Delhi organized by the Confederation of All India Traders, more than 125 top trade leaders agreed to boycott all business behavior with Turkey and Azerbaijan.
On the education front, the premiere Indian Institute of Technology in Mumbai joined many other major educational institutions, discovered as Jawaharlal Nehru University and Jamia Millia to cancel agreements with Turkish universities.
Criticizes Erdogan
Turkish President Recep Taip Erdogan has long advocated a “multilateral” solution for the Kashmir dispute, some India has always opposed.
Erdogan has visited Pakistan on several occasions. His most recent visit took place in February, when he arrived with a delegation to promote trade and military relations with Islamabad.
In 2017, Erdogan interacted with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to increase economic cooperation and anti-terrorism effigies.
According to Mudasir Qumer, Associate Professor at the Center for West Asian Studies, DW reported that Turkey’s situation in Pakistan is not appreciated for being reluctant to see the issue with Ankara’s fairness and neutrality in India.
“Expectation for Ankara in New Delhi is that he could not see the situation through Pakistan’s prism, which is currently the case. The relationship of Turkey does not change, so the relationship is unlikely to improve,” Qumer said.
Prasanta Kumar Pradhan, a research Fellow and coordinator at the West Asia Center at Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defense Studies and Analysis, said that there is a possibility of taking time to coordinate with India and Turkey.
Pradhan told DW that the boycott would have a “limited impact”, and “is not sufficient to seriously affect bilateral trade.”
“However, if the boycott remains for the extended period, it can have a more negative impact on trade relations between the two countries.”
Future relations uncertain
According to the Government of India data, India increased $ 5.2 billion (€ 4.64 billion) in Türkiye from April 2024 and February 2025. Major export items including mineral fuel and oil, electric machinery, motor vehicle parts and vehicles, pharmaceuticals, textiles and cotton.
India imported $ 2.84 billion from Turkey during the same time limit, including marble and other natural stones, apples and other fruits, gold and precious metals, minerals and petroleum products.
It is still not clear how the boycott will play and what will be the relationship between the two countries in the coming weeks.
“For now, high-level association with Türkiye will soon be challenging. As a result, tension is expected to remain for the future of the future,” Pradhan said.
Air India recently advocated Indian authorities with Turkish Airlines to prevent the tie-up of budget airline IndiGo, as well as cited the business impact as well as the safety concerns for Pakistan with the support of Istanbul.
Even before the recent spat, India crossed the $ 2 billion (€ 1.77 billion) shipbuilding consultancy agreement with Anadolu Shipyard of Türkiye. The deal included the construction of fleet support ships for the Indian Navy at India’s Hindustan Shipyard, which had technology and engineering aid from Anadolu.
Tara Kartha, a member of a form of the Secretariat of the Security Council of India’s Security Council, said, “Official, India cited its policy to promote local shipbuilding capacity as due to termination, but it is widely believed that India’s inconvenience is for an important role with India’s strieving relations.”
Sanjay Bhattachari, a former Turkish ambassador, said that India needs to be smart and strategic, giving priority to its national interests and global status.
Bhattacharya told DW, “I believe the matters will settle over time and both sides will be understood to its end.”
Edited by: Keith Walker
