Operation Sindoor: India’s trade and tourism relations with Turkey and Azerbaijan are facing fresh turbulence after both nations publicly backed Pakistan and condemned India’s recent military strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. These strikes, carried out under Operation Sindoor, were in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22.
Following Turkey and Azerbaijan’s diplomatic stance, Indian public sentiment has shifted dramatically, with several travel and trade bodies calling for boycotts. Tourism platforms such as EaseMyTrip and Ixigo have issued advisories against visiting Turkey and Azerbaijan, citing security risks and political tensions.
Indian tourism bodies call for boycott
Subhash Goyal, Chairman of the Indian Chamber of Commerce’s Expert Committee on Aviation and Tourism, strongly condemned the support extended by Ankara and Baku to Islamabad. “All tourism associations stand with the nation and the Indian Armed Forces,” he said, while urging the government to issue a formal travel advisory for Indian citizens. The committee predicts a 50–60 per cent decline in tourism to the two countries.
Further reinforcing the sentiment, a group of lawyers from Lex Jurists law firm cancelled their trip to Azerbaijan, with managing partner Rajendra Singh emphasizing the need to promote domestic tourism instead.
Trade impact
Although the trade volume with both countries remains relatively small in the context of India’s overall commerce, symbolic boycotts are gaining traction. Indian traders have begun boycotting Turkish goods such as apples and marble in response to Ankara’s stance.
According to government data, India’s exports to Turkey stood at USD 5.2 billion during April-February 2024-25, down from USD 6.65 billion the previous year, comprising just 1.5 per cent of total exports. Exports to Azerbaijan were significantly lower at USD 86.07 million, or 0.02 per cent of total outbound shipments.
Imports from Turkey totaled USD 2.84 billion, while imports from Azerbaijan were negligible at USD 1.93 million, reaffirming that trade retaliation would carry more political than economic weight.
Tensions escalated when it was revealed that Pakistan deployed Turkish drones in its unsuccessful attempt to target Indian military positions. This has added a new layer of complexity to India’s defence and security concerns, particularly in evaluating bilateral cooperation with Turkey.