India Shuns Turkey: Universities Break Ties Over Backing of Pakistan
Indian Universities Break Ties With Turkey Over Support for Pakistan
Tensions between India and Pakistan have spilled over into the academic world, with several Indian universities severing ties with their Turkish counterparts in protest of Turkey’s support for Pakistan.
IITs Join the Boycott
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay announced on Saturday that it was suspending all agreements with Turkish universities until further notice. This followed a similar move by IIT Roorkee, which officially canceled a memorandum of understanding with Inonu University in Turkey. Both IITs cited the current geopolitical situation involving Turkey as the reason for their decision.
Private Institutions Follow Suit
The boycott isn’t limited to public institutions. Several private universities, including Chandigarh University and Lovely Professional University (LPU), have also cut ties with 23 Turkish and Azerbaijani universities. LPU, the first private university in India to take this step, cited recent geopolitical developments that it believes are contrary to India’s national interest.
JNU and Jamia Millia Islamia Also Take Action
The boycott extends to prominent universities like Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and Jamia Millia Islamia. JNU suspended its memorandum of understanding with Inonu University, stating it was due to national security considerations. Jamia Millia Islamia went further, suspending all its MoUs with institutions affiliated with Turkey.
Beyond Academia: Calls for Boycott Extend to Trade and Travel
The fallout from the escalating tensions goes beyond academia. Several Indians have reportedly boycotted Turkish goods and canceled trips to Turkey. Online travel platforms have issued advisories against traveling to Turkey and Azerbaijan. Trade bodies, including the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), have also called for a complete boycott of trade with Turkey and Azerbaijan.
Cochin International Airport Discontinues Ground Handling Services
Even the Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) has joined the boycott, discontinuing ground-handling services provided by the Turkish company Celebi Airport Services India Private Limited. This decision was made in compliance with recent directives from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) regarding national security.
Operation Sindoor: The Trigger for the Boycott
The current tensions stem from India’s recent Operation Sindoor, a series of airstrikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Turkey condemned these strikes and expressed support for Pakistan, prompting the wave of boycotts and academic cancellations.
