From campuses to commerce: How India is unwinding relations with Turkey, Azerbaijan over Pak support

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay became the latest prominent institution to suspend agreements with Turkish universities, citing the “current geopolitical situation”.

The institute currently has a faculty exchange programme with some Turkish institutions.

This follows similar moves by other leading institutes and universities, including IIT Roorkee, which cancelled a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Turkey’s Inonu University, stating its commitment to “national interest”.

Hyderabad-based Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) also terminated its MoU with Turkey’s Yunus Emre Institute, under which a diploma in Turkish language was offered since 2020. The university’s registrar, in a statement on Thursday, said the decision was in protest against Turkey’s “support for Pakistan’s terrorist activities” amid India-Pakistan tensions.

A visiting Turkish professor for the course has already returned to his country.

Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and Jamia Millia Islamia have also severed academic ties with Turkish institutions. JNU suspended its MoU with Inonu University, with Vice-Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit stating, “JNU stands with the nation and the armed forces, many of whom are JNU alumni.”

The Jamia Millia Islamia suspended all academic collaborations with Turkish government-affiliated institutions, citing “national security considerations”.

Meanwhile, Delhi University (DU) clarified it has no active collaborations with Turkish or Azerbaijani institutions, as its previous MoUs expired in 2024.

The series of academic withdrawals comes amid growing anger in India after Turkey and Azerbaijan publicly condemned India’s military strikes targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Pakistan is reported to have employed Turkish-made drones during the conflict, adding to India’s concerns over Ankara’s defence cooperation with Islamabad.

Trade hits a wall

The fallout from the diplomatic rift has extended beyond academia, with Indian trade bodies taking unprecedented action.

Azadpur Mandi, Asia’s largest fruit and vegetable wholesale market, has ceased importing Turkish apples, citing the “current diplomatic situation.”

Chairman Meetha Ram Kriplani said imports from Turkey reached over 1.16 lakh tonnes in 2024 but will be discontinued going forward.

"We have supported Turkish trade for years, but the current circumstances have left us with no choice," he said.

Similarly, the Bangalore Wholesale Cloth Merchants Association (BWCMA), representing over 3,000 wholesale traders, declared a complete halt in textile trade with both Turkey and Azerbaijan.

"This collective action has been taken after careful deliberation and in alignment with our commitment to ethical business practices, national sentiment, and the interests of our trade community. As responsible stakeholders in the textile trade sector, we believe it is essential to take principled stands when necessary," BWCMA President Prakash Pirgal said in a statement.

Aviation under scrutiny

India’s aviation security watchdog, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), revoked the security clearance of Turkish firm Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd, citing national security concerns. Celebi, operational in India for over 15 years and employing more than 10,000 people, managed ground handling services at nine Indian airports.

The revocation has led to termination of multiple concession and licence agreements across key airports including Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and Kochi.

Celebi’s Turkish parent company, Celebi Hava Servisi AS, said it will pursue legal remedies and denied any wrongdoing or political affiliations.

A former official of Celebi said the company will take a big hit due to BCAS revoking the security clearance. India is the second largest revenue contributor for Celebi after Turkey, the official added.

Tourists cancel trips

Several travel platforms, including EaseMyTrip and Ixigo, have issued advisories against visiting Turkiye.

On Wednesday, MakeMyTrip said it has witnessed a decline in bookings to the two nations by 60 per cent in the last one week while cancellations have jumped 250%.

"Indian travellers have expressed strong sentiments over the past one week, with bookings for Azerbaijan and Türkiye decreasing by 60 per cent, while cancellations have surged by 250 per cent during the same period.

"In solidarity with our nation and out of deep respect for our armed forces, we strongly support this sentiment and advise all against all non-essential travel to Azerbaijan and Türkiye," a MakeMyTrip spokesperson said.