A wave of calls to boycott Turkey has intensified in India, evolving from online protests to concrete government action, as diplomatic tensions rise following Turkey’s vocal support for Pakistan in the wake of recent India-Pakistan clashes.
The Indian government has taken decisive steps, severing ties with Turkish businesses and academic institutions. On Thursday, Turkish ground-handling firm Celebi was barred from operating at Indian airports due to what authorities described as “national security concerns” — claims the company strongly denies.
Celebi, which managed services at major hubs including Delhi and Mumbai airports, was stripped of its security clearance by India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation. The decision followed a surge in public demands to ban the company.
“We have received numerous requests from citizens to take action,” said the Minister of State for Civil Aviation in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “Recognising the seriousness of the issue and the call to protect national interests, the Ministry has revoked the company’s security clearance.”
In response, Celebi told Bloomberg it would pursue “all administrative and legal remedies” to challenge the decision and described the move as “unjust.” The firm added that it bears no responsibility for any disruptions in Indian airport operations that may result from the revocation.
The backlash comes after deadly fighting erupted last week between India and Pakistan, following Indian airstrikes in response to the Pahalgam attack in Indian-administered Kashmir. Pakistan has denied any involvement. In the immediate aftermath, Turkey and Azerbaijan publicly supported Pakistan — with Ankara warning of the possibility of “all-out war” and Baku denouncing India’s military action.
This prompted a sharp reaction from Indian political leaders and citizens alike. Calls to boycott Turkish and Azerbaijani products and travel quickly gained traction on social media, fueled by reports alleging that Turkish-made drones were being used by Pakistan against India.
Amid the fallout, several prominent Indian universities — including Jawaharlal Nehru University, Jamia Millia Islamia, and Maulana Azad National Urdu University — have suspended academic partnerships with Turkish institutions.
The boycott movement has had a swift impact on travel. Indian travel platforms have reported a 60% drop in bookings and a 250% surge in cancellations for Turkey and Azerbaijan in the past week, according to MakeMyTrip. Although most platforms still permit bookings, promotional deals and discounted airfares to these destinations have been quietly withdrawn.
“Travelers are clearly hesitating,” said Rohit Khattar, a Delhi-based travel agent. “Young tourists are especially cautious, fearing backlash on social media or public criticism. We’re avoiding offering packages to destinations that may not see enough interest.”
In 2024, over 330,000 Indians visited Turkey, a notable increase from the previous year’s 274,000. Azerbaijan also saw a surge, with nearly 244,000 Indian visitors. However, Indians accounted for less than 1% of Turkey’s overall foreign tourist arrivals, meaning the financial impact on Turkish tourism is expected to be limited. Azerbaijan, where Indian tourists made up nearly 9% of foreign arrivals, may feel a greater effect.
Post-pandemic, both Turkey and Azerbaijan gained popularity among Indian travelers due to their affordability, scenic beauty, and a European-style experience at lower costs. Direct flights and budget airlines helped boost access in recent years.
Some social media users are promoting alternatives such as Greece, but travel platforms say they haven’t seen any significant spike in bookings for replacement destinations.
“As this is a developing situation, we haven’t observed major changes in demand for alternate destinations yet,” Cleartrip told the BBC.
With diplomatic tensions simmering and public sentiment running high, industry experts believe travel patterns could shift rapidly depending on how the situation evolves.