India Boycotts Turkey and Azerbaijan Over Pakistan Support
India Faces Diplomatic Hurdles with Turkey and Azerbaijan
Tensions are simmering between India and both Turkey and Azerbaijan after these countries expressed support for Pakistan in the wake of India’s recent military strikes against terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. This has sparked widespread calls in India to boycott goods from these nations and discourage travel there.
The Fallout: Boycotts and Travel Advisories
Online travel platforms like EaseMyTrip and Ixigo have issued advisories urging people to reconsider trips to Turkey and Azerbaijan. MakeMyTrip has even gone a step further, discontinuing all promotions and offers to these destinations. Indian traders are also starting to boycott Turkish products like apples and marbles.
Background: Operation Sindoor and Drone Concerns
The situation escalated after Turkey and Azerbaijan publicly criticized India’s Operation Sindoor, a military operation launched on May 7th in response to a deadly terror attack in Kashmir on April 22nd. India destroyed nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir during this operation. Adding to the tension, India recently discovered that Pakistan is using Turkish-manufactured Asisguard Songar drones to target Indian military installations. India firmly asserted its air defense capabilities, stating that any threat, including Turkish drones, would be neutralized.
Trade Relations: Limited but Significant
While trade relations between India and both Turkey and Azerbaijan are relatively modest, India enjoys a surplus in trade with both countries.
- During April-February 2024-25, India exported $5.2 billion worth of goods to Turkey, compared to $6.65 billion in the previous year.
- India’s imports from Turkey stood at $2.84 billion during the same period, down from $3.78 billion in 2023-24.
- India exported $86.07 million to Azerbaijan during April-February 2024-25, slightly lower than the $89.67 million in the previous year.
These figures represent about 1.5% and 0.02% of India’s total exports respectively.
People-to-People Ties: Communities and Tourism
India has a significant community in both Turkey and Azerbaijan, with around 3,000 Indians residing in Turkey, including 200 students, and over 1,500 Indians living in Azerbaijan. Tourist numbers are also considerable, with an estimated 300,000 Indian tourists visiting Turkey in 2023 and over 200,000 visiting Azerbaijan.
Looking Ahead: A Delicate Balance
This situation presents a diplomatic challenge for India. While it seeks to maintain strong ties with its strategic partners, it also needs to address its security concerns and send a clear message against terrorism. The impact of the boycott and travel advisories on the economies of Turkey and Azerbaijan remains to be seen.
