In the 122nd episode of his monthly radio address Mann Ki Baat on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke of a growing wave of enthusiasm among Indians for initiatives such as Vocal for Local and Wed in India. He attributed this renewed patriotic fervor to the aftermath of Operation Sindoor and a larger shift in public sentiment.
“Some families have pledged to spend their next vacation at a beautiful place within India itself,” PM Modi noted, signaling a broader push for domestic tourism and economic self-reliance.
His remarks come at a time when calls to boycott Turkey are intensifying across India, following Ankara’s overt support for Pakistan during the latest India-Pakistan flare-up.
Why Is Turkey Facing India’s Wrath?
Tensions escalated after Turkey condemned India’s Operation Sindoor, launched in response to a terror attack in Pahalgam. India has long accused Pakistan of supporting cross-border terrorism, and Ankara’s criticism of India’s military operation only deepened the diplomatic divide.
Further worsening the situation, Turkey allegedly supplied drones to Pakistan, which were later used to target Indian civilian areas and military sites during the conflict.
India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), killing at least 100 terrorists. Pakistan retaliated by attempting strikes on Indian targets, but was met with strong countermeasures. Indian forces reportedly destroyed 11 Pakistani air bases, severely damaging Pakistan’s offensive capabilities.
Turkey Faces Widespread Boycott in India
In response to Turkey’s alignment with Pakistan, a nationwide boycott movement has taken hold in India, targeting Turkish goods, services, and collaborations across multiple sectors.
Consumer Goods
Small retailers and major online platforms have pulled Turkish products from their shelves. Chocolates, coffee, biscuits, jams, cosmetics, and clothing brands like Trendyol, LC Waikiki, Koton, and Mavi have all been affected.
The All India Products Distribution Federation (AICPDF), representing millions of shopkeepers, announced an indefinite boycott of Turkish food products, impacting an estimated ₹2,000 crore worth of imports.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu also called for a ban on Turkish apples, which represent a $60 million annual trade.
In Rajasthan, the Udaipur Marble Processors Association banned Turkish marble, which previously supplied 70% of India’s needs in the sector.
Tourism and Travel
Major Indian travel platforms, including MakeMyTrip, EaseMyTrip, and Cox & Kings, have suspended travel bookings and promotions for Turkey and Azerbaijan, citing national sentiment and security concerns.
E-commerce giant Flipkart has also stopped offering bookings for flights and holiday packages to Turkey.
Aviation and Security
India revoked the security clearance of Turkish firm Celebi Aviation, which provided ground handling services at major Indian airports including Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai.
Air India has raised concerns over IndiGo’s plans to lease aircraft from Turkish Airlines, urging authorities to block the move due to national security implications.
Education and Cultural Ties
Several Indian universities—including JNU, Jamia Millia Islamia, and Maulana Azad National Urdu University—have suspended academic partnerships and MoUs with Turkish institutions.
In the entertainment sector, the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) has imposed a total ban on filming in Turkey or collaborating with Turkish artists.
Trade and Business
India has canceled a $2.3 billion contract with Turkey’s Anadolu Shipyard for consultancy on the construction of five Fleet Support Ships for the Indian Navy. While reports indicate that the decision preceded the latest tensions and was linked to India’s push for Atmanirbhar Bharat, the cancellation has further strained commercial ties.
Additionally, several Turkish firms operating in India are being systematically replaced by domestic or alternative international partners.
