Indian Traders Boycott Turkey, Azerbaijan Over Pakistan Support
Amid rising diplomatic tensions following Pakistan’s aggression, Indian traders have declared a complete boycott of Türkiye and Azerbaijan, accusing both countries of supporting Pakistan during the recent hostilities. The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), a powerful national trade body representing over 80 million traders and 40,000 associations, announced the decision on Friday, marking a significant escalation in India’s non-governmental response to geopolitical provocations.
CAIT Declares End to All Trade With Türkiye and Azerbaijan
BJP MP and CAIT Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal announced that no Indian trader will import or export any goods or services from Türkiye or Azerbaijan. “A collective decision has been taken… The reason is clear. Türkiye and Azerbaijan openly supported Pakistan against India,” he said.
Khandelwal also issued a warning to domestic brands and companies to refrain from advertising or filming in the two countries. “If any company does so anymore, then we will boycott that company too,” he added, indicating that the campaign could extend into corporate partnerships and branding activities.
Impact Felt Across Commerce and Tourism Sectors
The decision has already triggered disruptions in key trade markets. Azadpur Mandi in Delhi, Asia’s largest wholesale fruit and vegetable market, has stopped accepting imports of Turkish apples. “We’ve supported Turkish trade for years, but given the current scenario, we cannot continue,” said Meetha Ram Kriplani, chairman of Azadpur Fruit Mandi.
The tourism industry has also been affected. Travel platform MakeMyTrip reported a 250% spike in flight cancellation requests for trips to Türkiye and Azerbaijan, and a 60% drop in new bookings to these destinations. Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat applauded citizens who canceled their trips and urged people to explore Indian destinations instead.
Cultural, Academic and Entertainment Ties Severed
The boycott has cascaded into educational and cultural sectors as well. Institutions like Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Jamia Millia Islamia, Lovely Professional University (LPU), Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU), and Kanpur University have formally ended academic partnerships with Turkish universities, citing national interest and security concerns.
Similarly, the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has appealed to Bollywood filmmakers to stop considering Türkiye as a location for shooting films and series. The film body cited Türkiye’s pro-Pakistan statements as the reason for its appeal.
Government Likely to Discourage Tourism and Shoots
Although there is no formal government ban, sources indicate that New Delhi may soon discourage destination weddings and film shoots in Türkiye and Azerbaijan. The government is expected to issue informal advisories to that effect, furthering the informal embargo already enforced by trade and civil society organizations.
This multi-sector boycott signals a new era of civil activism in India’s foreign policy realm, where trade, tourism, academics, and entertainment align in response to international political postures. With widespread grassroots backing, this could significantly impact Türkiye and Azerbaijan’s economic engagements with India in the months to come.
