India has launched a nationwide boycott of Turkey and Azerbaijan after both countries expressed support for Pakistan during the recent Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. This has sparked strong public outrage and led to a ripple effect across various sectors including tourism, trade, academia, and civil society. Many Indians feel that Turkey and Azerbaijan’s actions go against India’s sovereignty and national interest.
The tourism industry is witnessing a sharp decline in demand for Turkey and Azerbaijan. Major travel companies like MakeMyTrip and EaseMyTrip have reported a steep drop in bookings, along with a huge increase in cancellations. Travelers are now choosing other destinations such as Georgia, Serbia, Thailand, and Vietnam. Platforms like Ixigo have gone a step further and completely stopped taking bookings to these countries. Travel influencers and bloggers are also encouraging their audiences to support the boycott and explore more friendly nations.
The boycott has also extended to trade and logistics. The Indore Truck Operators and Transport Association has refused to transport any goods to or from Turkey and Azerbaijan. In Rajasthan, the marble hub of Udaipur has suspended marble imports worth ₹3,000 crore from Turkey. Business owners have appealed to the government to completely cut trade ties with countries supporting Pakistan, stating that India does not need such alliances.
Indian universities are also taking action. Institutions such as Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University in Kanpur have suspended their academic collaborations with Turkish universities. They have cited national interest and solidarity as their main reasons for doing so.
Civil society organizations like the Swadeshi Jagran Manch, which is affiliated with the RSS, have joined the protest by calling for complete economic and diplomatic disengagement with Turkey and Azerbaijan. They are urging the Indian government to cut all economic ties, stop civil aviation services, and strongly discourage Indian tourism to these nations.
On the diplomatic front, Turkey has reportedly imposed a secret ban on defense exports to India. This was revealed during a closed-door session in the Turkish Parliament and is seen as a move to back Pakistan. In response, India’s Ministry of External Affairs criticized Turkish President Erdogan’s statements on Kashmir, calling them unwarranted and an interference in India’s internal matters.
This boycott highlights India’s firm response to any country that openly supports Pakistan on issues sensitive to national security. Whether this boycott will lead to long-term changes in foreign policy remains to be seen, but for now, the message from India is clear: national interest comes first.
