Backlash over Turkey’s support for Pakistan pushes India-Turkey Relations to a new low
Once defined by shared civilisational ties, mutual trade interests, and diplomatic engagement, the bilateral relationship between India and Turkey is now under strain following Turkey’s overt support for Pakistan in the wake of a deadly terrorist attack on Indian soil. The resulting public backlash in India has snowballed into a wide-ranging boycott campaign affecting tourism, education, trade, and aviation; raising serious questions about the future of India-Turkey relations.
The current diplomatic fallout began after a heinous terror attack in Pahalgam claimed the lives of 26 tourists. In response, India launched precision strikes on terrorist infrastructures in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) and air defence systems in Pakistan. While much of the international community called for restraint, Turkey stood out in its explicit support for Pakistan. This perceived bias from Ankara, particularly given President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s repeated calls for a multilateral solution to the Kashmir dispute sparked widespread outrage in India.
The response from Indian civil society, businesses, and institutions has been swift and sweeping. A grassroots boycott campaign, amplified through social media with hashtags like #BoycottTurkey, has taken on a life of its own. Bookings to Turkey have dropped by 60 per cent. Major Indian travel platforms, including MakeMyTrip and EaseMyTrip, have suspended Turkish promotions. Indian traders have begun rejecting Turkish goods. The Indian civil aviation ministry revoked the security clearance of Turkish ground-handling company Celebi, citing national security concerns.
Historically, India and Turkey have maintained cordial if not deeply strategic relations. Erdogan’s visit to India in 2017 focused on economic cooperation and counter-terrorism. Despite ideological differences, trade between the two countries has flourished — India exported $5.2 billion worth of goods to Turkey between April 2024 and February 2025. The present strained relations would result in massive loss to both countries. While the current crisis is steeped in emotion and national interest, it is not beyond repair. However, both countries will have to work deliberately — and delicately — to untangle this knot. Immediate high-level talks may be politically unviable, but diplomatic backchannels must remain active. Turkey’s leadership must recalibrate its public stance on Kashmir and adopt a more balanced position. Turkey must acknowledge India’s legitimate security concerns. Acknowledging Turkey’s complex geopolitical compulsions without excusing one-sidedness can offer a more nuances understanding to an emotional public. International diplomacy is far more complex than emotional outburst. Boycotts may offer immediate satisfaction, but lasting diplomacy demands patience and vision. The public sentiment in India is strong and justified in its condemnation of terrorism and foreign support for it.
But as history has often shown, anger is a poor long-term strategist. If India and Turkey can find a way back to honest dialogue, mutual respect, and pragmatic cooperation, this rift may yet become a turning point — not an end — in their long-shared journey.
