In response to rising calls within India to boycott Turkey following the launch of ‘Operation Sindoor’ and Ankara’s perceived alignment with Pakistan, the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-B) has announced the suspension of all academic collaborations with Turkish institutions.
In an official statement posted on its X handle, IIT-B stated, “Due to the current geopolitical situation involving Turkey, IIT Bombay is processing suspension of its agreements with Turkish universities until further notice.”
The institute currently has student and faculty exchange programmes with multiple Turkish universities, all of which will now be put on hold pending further geopolitical developments.
This move by IIT-B mirrors similar steps taken by other Indian academic institutions, including IIT Roorkee, which has also paused its collaborations with Turkish partners.
IIT Roorkee, JMI and JNU cut academic links
Earlier, Jamia Millia Islamia had also severed academic ties with institutions in Turkey, citing growing tensions and widespread protests over Turkey’s international position, which many in India perceive as hostile.
In an official notice, the university announced that “any Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Jamia Millia Islamia and any institution affiliated with the Government of the Republic of Türkiye stands suspended with immediate effect, until further orders.” The statement further emphasized that the university “stands firmly with the Nation.”
Additionally, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has also suspended its academic MoU with Turkey’s Inonu University, citing concerns over national security. In an official statement posted on X, the university said, “Due to National Security considerations, the MoU between JNU and Inonu University, Turkey stands suspended until further notice.”
IIT Roorkee has also joined the list of Indian universities who withdraws academic collaborations with Turkish institutions. On May 16, the institute announced it had terminated its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Inonu University in Turkey, citing the need for all international partnerships to align with the “national interest.”
Indian tourists cancel travel plans to Turkey and Azerbaijan
Indian tourists are increasingly cancelling trips to Turkey and Azerbaijan in response to the two countries’ perceived support for Pakistan. In 2024, Turkey welcomed over 3 lakh Indian visitors and earned approximately Rs 42.9 billion from tourism.
In protest, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has announced a complete boycott of trade and commercial ties with both nations. This move follows Turkey and Azerbaijan’s stance amid Operation Sindoor — an anti-terror operation launched on May 7 after investigations linked a deadly attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, to cross-border elements.
As part of the boycott, CAIT has called for a nationwide halt to the import and sale of Turkish and Azerbaijani goods by Indian traders.