India’s Boycott of Turkey: A Response to Geopolitical Tensions

In May 2025, India witnessed a surge in calls for a nationwide boycott of Turkey, driven by escalating geopolitical tensions following Turkey’s support for Pakistan during India’s Operation Sindoor. This military operation, launched on May 7, 2025, targeted nine terrorist sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in response to a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu a

nd Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives. Turkey’s vocal condemnation of India’s actions, coupled with its alleged supply of military drones to Pakistan, has sparked outrage among Indian citizens, politicians, and businesses. The boycott movement, amplified by social media campaigns like #BoycottTurkey, targets Turkey’s tourism, trade, and diplomatic ties, reflecting a broader sentiment of national pride and retaliation. This article delves into the reasons behind the boycott, its economic implications, and the current affairs shaping this significant development.

Catalyst for the Boycott: Operation Sindoor and Turkey’s Response

The boycott stems from India’s Operation Sindoor, a pre-dawn airstrike operation executed by the Indian Air Force targeting terror camps of Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba, including key facilities in Muridke and Bahawalpur. The operation was a direct response to the Pahalgam attack on April 22, 2025, which heightened India-Pakistan tensions. While much of the international community condemned the terror attack, Turkey and Azerbaijan issued statements supporting Pakistan, criticizing India’s actions as “unprovoked aggression” and a violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty. Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan expressed solidarity with Pakistan, warning of a “deteriorating regional security situation.”

More controversially, reports confirmed that Pakistan deployed approximately 300-400 Turkish-made Songar drones against India during the conflict, escalating Indian anger toward Ankara. Turkey’s alleged supply of 350 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and military advisors to Pakistan further fueled perceptions of Turkey as an adversary. Social media posts and news outlets highlighted India’s prior humanitarian aid to Turkey during the 2023 earthquake under Operation Dost, contrasting it with Turkey’s current stance, which many Indians view as a “diplomatic betrayal.”

The Boycott Movement: A Multi-Faceted Response

Tourism Boycott

Turkey has been a popular destination for Indian tourists, with 3.3 lakh visitors in 2024, contributing over ₹4,000 crore to its economy. However, the boycott has led to a dramatic shift. Major Indian travel agencies, including EaseMyTrip, Cox & Kings, Ixigo, and Travomint, have suspended bookings to Turkey, citing national sentiment and the Pahalgam attack. EaseMyTrip issued an advisory urging travelers to avoid non-essential trips to Turkey, stating, “Every rupee we spend abroad is a vote. Let’s spend it where our values are respected.” MakeMyTrip reported a 60% drop in bookings and a 250% surge in cancellations for Turkey within a week.

Prominent figures, including industrialist Harsh Goenka and actress Rupali Ganguly, have urged Indians to skip Turkey and Azerbaijan, suggesting alternatives like Greece and Armenia. Social media users have echoed this sentiment, with posts like, “No Türkiye, Indians won’t come spending money on tourism in a country that uses the same to arm Pakistan.” A viral letter, allegedly from Turkey’s tourism department, urging Indians not to cancel trips, was met with scorn, with users accusing Ankara of “begging” while supporting Pakistan. The authenticity of this letter remains unverified, but it intensified the backlash.

Trade and Investment

The boycott extends beyond tourism to trade and investment. In Pune, traders at the APMC market have stopped purchasing Turkish apples, which previously generated ₹1,000-1,200 crore in seasonal revenue, opting instead for produce from Himachal, Uttarakhand, Iran, and the U.S. In Udaipur, Asia’s largest marble exporter, the Marble Processors Committee unanimously agreed to halt trade with Turkey, which supplies 70% of India’s imported marble. This move aims to boost demand for Indian marble while sending a geopolitical message.

Bilateral trade between India and Turkey was $13.81 billion in 2022-23, with India importing petroleum products, nuclear reactors, and other commodities. Indian investments in Turkey amount to $227 million, while Turkish investments in India stand at $210.47 million. The boycott threatens to disrupt these ties, with potential long-term impacts on economic collaboration. Additionally, India’s cancellation of a $2.3 billion shipbuilding contract with Turkey’s TAIS consortium in 2024, involving five Fleet Support Ships for the Indian Navy, marks a significant setback for Turkey’s defense industry.

Political and Social Push

Politicians across party lines have endorsed the boycott. Congress MLA Kuldeep Singh Rathore demanded an immediate ban on Turkish imports, citing India’s aid during the 2023 earthquake. Shiv Sena UBT MP Priyanka Chaturvedi and former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar have actively supported the movement on X, with Chandrasekhar dismissing Turkey’s tourism appeal with a curt “No thank you.” Former UP police chief Prakash Singh called for redefining India-Turkey relations, urging the termination of route-sharing agreements with Turkish Airlines.

Social media has been a driving force, with hashtags like #BoycottTurkey and #BanTurkey trending. Users have criticized Indian influencers promoting Turkey, with one post stating, “Any Indian YouTuber or influencer promoting Turkey as a tourism destination should be ignored or boycotted.” Defense expert Sushant Sareen labeled Turkey a “declared enemy country” and questioned IndiGo’s codeshare partnership with Turkish Airlines.

Economic Impact on Turkey

Turkey’s economy, already grappling with high inflation, currency depreciation, and debt, faces significant risks from the boycott. Tourism, a key revenue source, generated $61.1 billion in 2024, with 3.3 lakh Indian visitors contributing significantly. A projected 50% drop in Indian tourist arrivals could cost Turkey billions, surpassing the impact of India’s 2024 Maldives boycott, which cost the island nation $1.8-2 billion.

The boycott’s impact on trade, particularly in sectors like apples and marble, could exacerbate Turkey’s economic woes. A potential 20% disruption in energy imports or tax revenue could lead to monthly losses of $1-2.5 billion, while a week-long labor strike could cost $4-5 billion. If these factors converge, Turkey could lose up to $40 billion in reserves within a month, threatening its financial stability.

Turkey’s Geopolitical Stance and India’s Frustration

Turkey’s support for Pakistan is part of a broader geopolitical strategy under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who seeks to position Turkey as a leader of the Muslim world. This includes aligning with Pakistan and the Muslim Brotherhood, amplifying anti-India narratives on issues like Kashmir through state-controlled media like TRT World and Anadolu Agency. Turkey’s supply of drones and military advisors to Pakistan, alongside its arming of Bangladesh, has raised concerns in India about a coordinated anti-India axis involving Turkey, Pakistan, and China.

India’s frustration is compounded by Turkey’s historical actions, such as arming terror camps in PoK and supporting Maldives against India. Social media users have recalled India’s swift response during Turkey’s 2023 earthquake, with one post stating, “India carried out Operation Dost and sent soldiers to save Turkish lives,” highlighting the perceived ingratitude.

Broader Context and Future Implications

The boycott reflects a growing trend of Indian nationalism influencing economic decisions, as seen in the 2024 Maldives boycott over derogatory remarks against PM Narendra Modi. However, some argue the boycott may be temporary, with travelers potentially returning to Turkey due to its cultural appeal and connectivity. Others, like travel agent PK Gupta, believe tourists will prioritize personal choice over geopolitics.

The movement also highlights the power of social media in shaping public sentiment and corporate actions. While Turkey’s tourism department has claimed no safety issues for Indian travelers, the boycott’s momentum suggests a prolonged impact. For India, the boycott is a statement of sovereignty and a call to redirect economic support to allies like Armenia and Greece.