In a sharp geopolitical shift, India is reevaluating its diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties with Turkey and Azerbaijan following their explicit support for Pakistan during the recent Operation Sindoor. What began as diplomatic posturing has now escalated into tangible economic backlash, tourism cancellations, and academic severances—all driven by national outrage and strategic recalibrations.
🔥 What Triggered the Crisis?
The root of the crisis lies in Operation Sindoor, India’s military response to recent terror activities linked to Pakistan-based groups. During the conflict, Turkey and Azerbaijan publicly extended political and logistical support to Pakistan, igniting backlash in India. Turkey reportedly supplied drones and surveillance equipment, while Azerbaijan issued statements backing Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir.
This was perceived in India as a betrayal, particularly given the efforts by New Delhi in recent years to build regional cooperation with both nations.
🇹🇷 Turkey: From Tourism Hub to Political Flashpoint
Once a favorite among Indian travelers, Turkey is now facing a widespread boycott. The travel platforms EaseMyTrip and Cox & Kings were among the first to suspend all packages to the country. According to internal data from leading OTAs, bookings to Turkey have fallen by over 60%, with cancellations up by 250%.
“National interest comes first. We cannot promote travel to a country supporting adversarial forces,” said Nishant Pitti, CEO of EaseMyTrip.
In Mumbai, political party Shiv Sena has demanded the removal of Turkish firms from city infrastructure projects, including airport operations managed in part by Turkish consortiums. In their words, “How can Indian infrastructure be in the hands of a country supporting terrorism?”
Azerbaijan Faces Heat Over India-Armenia Arms Trade
India’s growing defense partnership with Armenia, Azerbaijan’s regional rival, had already sparked tension. But Azerbaijan’s alignment with Pakistan added fuel to the fire.
The backlash has had a direct impact on tourism. Travel agencies report an 80% fall in Azerbaijan-bound Indian tourists.
Additionally, MakeMyTrip revealed that trips to Baku have dropped dramatically, while India’s Ministry of External Affairs issued a travel advisory, urging Indian citizens to avoid “non-essential travel” to both nations until further notice.
📉 Economic and Trade Implications
India-Turkey bilateral trade, once worth over $10 billion, is now facing turbulence. Between April 2024 and February 2025, exports to Turkey dropped to $5.2 billion, while imports stood at $2.84 billion. With rising public sentiment against Turkish products, including textiles, electronics, and kitchenware, Indian retailers are also pulling Turkish goods off shelves.
Meanwhile, India’s trade with Azerbaijan is minimal but could come under further strain if tensions escalate. Indian oil companies, which have minor investments in the Caspian region, are monitoring developments closely.
🎓 Academic Institutions Take a Stand
In a rare diplomatic move from the academic world, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi announced the suspension of its MoU with Turkey’s İnönü University, citing national security concerns. The decision reflects a growing trend among Indian universities to reassess international academic collaborations.
“We stand with the nation. Collaborating with institutions from hostile nations is against the ethos of our academic integrity,” said a senior faculty member at JNU.
🗣️ Voices from the Street: India Speaks
Public sentiment across India has turned highly vocal. On X (formerly Twitter), hashtags like #BoycottTurkey and #AzerbaijanOut are trending daily. Influencers, Bollywood celebrities, and prominent business leaders have echoed support for the government’s strong stance.
“Why should we spend our money in countries that support enemies of our soldiers?” posted actor Sonu Sood.
Others are demanding government action to revoke bilateral visas and to halt all ongoing joint ventures, especially in sensitive sectors like infrastructure, aviation, and defense.
🧭 India’s Strategic Response: Strengthening Old and New Alliances
Amid the diplomatic fallout, India is reinforcing alliances with Greece, Armenia, and Israel—countries that have openly criticized Pakistan or supported India’s position. The Ministry of External Affairs has hinted at deepening defense cooperation with Armenia and accelerating energy ties with Greece as part of a strategic pivot.
On the multilateral front, India is pushing for stronger regional alliances through platforms like BRICS+ and I2U2, while ignoring Ankara’s repeated requests for trade re-engagement.
🛑 IMPACT SUMMARY
| Sector | Impact on India-Turkey & Azerbaijan Relations |
|---|---|
| Tourism | -60% to -80% drop in Indian travelers |
| Trade | Exports & imports declining; Turkish goods boycotted |
| Academia | MoUs suspended; student exchange halted |
| Infrastructure | Turkish firms under political pressure |
| Public Sentiment | High anti-Turkey/Azerbaijan sentiment online |
📍 What Lies Ahead?
While the government maintains that “dialogue is always possible,” the domestic momentum is clearly tilted toward boycotts and disengagement. With state elections looming in several Indian states, the nationalist narrative is likely to gain further political currency.
Meanwhile, Turkey and Azerbaijan have not yet issued conciliatory statements or attempted backchannel diplomacy, leading analysts to believe that a prolonged freeze in relations is likely.
📢 A Diplomatic Reset in Real Time
India’s response to the support shown by Turkey and Azerbaijan for Pakistan is more than symbolic—it’s a multifaceted recalibration of diplomacy, trade, academia, and public policy. In an increasingly multipolar world, this episode reflects how national security and sentiment can realign international partnerships overnight.
The coming weeks will reveal whether Turkey and Azerbaijan seek to mend ties—or whether India will continue to deepen strategic relationships elsewhere.
Stay tuned to TalesXP for real-time updates on global diplomacy and how it shapes India’s future.