India boycotts Turkey: Jamia Millia Islamia, MakeMyTrip, Udaipur traders cancel ties over pro-Pakistan stance; here¡¯s what we know
From universities to travel firms and traders, several Indian institutions are cutting ties with Turkey over its support for Pakistan amid Operation Sindoor. While Jamia suspended MoUs, travel portals issued advisories, and marble traders halted Turkish imports.
Jamia Millia Islamia University in Delhi announced on social media that it has suspended all Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with any Turkish government-affiliated institutions. The move, effective immediately, was attributed to ¡°national security considerations.¡± The university said it ¡°stands firmly with the Nation¡± and did not specify when or if the MoUs would be restored. Moreover, the Indian government has also canceled the security clearance of Turkish ground handling company, Celebi Airport Services India Pvt. Ltd.
Travel industry sees rising cancellations to Turkey and Azerbaijan
The sentiment against Turkey and Azerbaijan is also visible in India¡¯s travel sector. Travel portal MakeMyTrip reported that bookings to Turkey and Azerbaijan have dropped by 60%, while cancellations increased by 250%. While the platform continues to offer bookings to these countries, it issued a statement supporting national sentiment and discouraging non-essential travel to both destinations.
#PehleMeraBharat isn¡¯t just a phrase for us - it¡¯s a principle we live by and strive to set an example through.
¡ª EaseMyTrip.com (@EaseMyTrip) May 14, 2025
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.#nationfirstbusinesslater #india #proudindian #incredibleindia #easemytrip pic.twitter.com/P7HrWB6tiE
EaseMyTrip, another major travel portal, had issued a similar advisory on May 9. Founder Nishant Pitti had publicly urged travellers to avoid Turkey and Azerbaijan due to their support for Pakistan. The company has not suspended existing bookings but reported a 22% cancellation rate for Turkey and over 30% for Azerbaijan. Turkey and Azerbaijan remain major destinations for Indian tourists¡ªTurkey received 3.3 lakh Indian visitors in 2024, while Azerbaijan welcomed over 2.4 lakh. Despite this, the boycott has led to reduced bookings and increased awareness across social media, where hashtags like #BoycottTurkey and #BoycottAzerbaijan have been trending since May 11.
¡ª Jamia Millia Islamia (NAAC A++ Grade Central Univ) (@jmiu_official) May 15, 2025
Traders halt Turkish imports, push for sanctions
The campaign has also reached trade associations in India. In Udaipur, the marble processors association has stopped importing marble from Turkey, which accounts for 70% of India¡¯s marble imports¡ªvalued at around Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,000 crore annually. Association president Kapil Surana said that all members agreed to the decision and have written to the Prime Minister urging formal sanctions.
¡°We fully support the historic decisions he has taken in the last few days,¡± Surana said, referring to India¡¯s response to the Pahalgam terror attack. General secretary Hitesh Patel added that national interest must come before business.
In Pune, traders have also joined the call by boycotting Turkish apples, contributing to the broader boycott movement that has gained support from political parties like Shiv Sena. The party had earlier called for an end to IndiGo¡¯s codeshare with Turkish Airlines and urged citizens to stop flying with the airline altogether.
Public and private sectors echo boycott calls
From academic institutions like Jamia Millia to private companies and local trader groups, the response to Turkey and Azerbaijan¡¯s stance on Pakistan has triggered a coordinated backlash across India. As the political tension continues, calls for boycotts are being echoed both online and offline, with institutions taking visible steps in response to public sentiment.
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Nancy Jaiswal is a journalist who started her career in reporting and has covered both hard and soft news. From serious city news developments to lighthearted lifestyle pieces, she has written on almost everything hapenning in India (except maybe alien invasions¡ªyet!). For her, writing isn¡¯t just work; it¡¯s a passion, an obsession, and sometimes the reason she forgets to reply to texts.
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