India Punishes Turkish Firm Over Support for Pakistan
India Takes Action Against Turkish Firm
In a significant diplomatic move, India has revoked the security clearance of Celebi Ground Handling India Private Limited, a Turkish firm managing services at nine major Indian airports. The decision comes in response to Turkey’s backing of Pakistan in the ongoing border dispute, also known as Operation Sindoor.
The Civil Aviation Ministry stated that the security clearance revocation was made “in the interest of national security,” marking India’s first direct action against a Turkish company. For years, India has been strengthening ties with Turkey’s traditional rivals, including Greece, Armenia, Cyprus, and Arab nations like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Celebi Denies Allegations
Celebi Aviation India has strongly refuted claims circulating on social media regarding its ownership and operations in India, calling them “misleading and factually incorrect.” The company insists that it adheres to globally accepted corporate governance practices and has no political affiliations or links to the Turkish government.
The statement specifically addresses rumors linking Sümeyye Erdoğan, daughter of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, to the company. Celebi categorically denies any association between Sümeyye Erdoğan and the firm, stating that she holds no shares or ownership in the parent organization.
Who is Sümeyye Erdoğan?
Sümeyye Erdoğan Bayraktar, the youngest daughter of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, is a prominent businesswoman in Turkey. She graduated from Araklı İmam Hatip High School in Trabzon and pursued higher education in the United States. She holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology and politics from Indiana University Bloomington and a master’s degree in economics from the London School of Economics.
Sümeyye also studied Arabic at Jordan University. Her career has included serving as a political advisor to her father during his tenure as prime minister, working as a consultant for the Justice and Development Party (AKP), and co-founding the Women and Democracy Association (KADEM), which promotes women’s rights and gender equality.
Sümeyye is married to Selçuk Bayraktar, CEO of Baykar, a prominent defense company that produces the Bayraktar Akinci drones.
Escalating Tensions
The recent developments signal a growing strain in the India-Turkey relationship. Turkey’s support for Pakistan in the border dispute has sparked a backlash in India, leading to calls for a boycott of Turkish products and a cancellation of academic collaborations with Turkish institutions.
