Why India is Boycotting Turkey and Azerbaijan -A massive wave of nationalism has swept through India’s social media landscape, as calls to boycott Turkey and Azerbaijan grow louder. The trigger? Recent revelations that Turkish-made drones were used by Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, an act perceived as a betrayal by the two nations, India had supported diplomatically and economically.
The Trigger—Turkish Drones in Pakistani Hands
India’s air defense recently intercepted drones believed to have been launched by Pakistan. Investigations revealed that these were Turkish-made drones, supplied either directly or indirectly with Turkish support. The revelation sparked widespread anger across India. Citizens saw this as a betrayal, especially given India’s long-standing diplomatic and economic cooperation with Turkey and Azerbaijan.
The Economic Ties India Held With Turkey and Azerbaijan
Trade Volumes:
Category |
Details |
| India–Turkey Bilateral Trade | Over $10 billion in trade volume |
| Key Trade Sectors | Chemicals, Textiles, Engineering Goods, Construction Materials |
| Tourism Impact (Turkey) | Earns over ₹3,000 crore annually from Indian tourists |
| Employment Impact | Approx. 20,000 direct and 65,000 indirect jobs (Turkey & Azerbaijan) |
| Indian Tourist Rank (Azerbaijan) | India is the 4th highest in terms of tourist numbers |
| Indian Tourists in 2023 | Turkey: ~3 lakh visitors, 20% YoY growth |
| Azerbaijan: Double-digit growth in Indian tourist arrivals |
These countries profited immensely from Indian business and tourism, which now seems at odds with their geopolitical alignment.
The Growing Social Media Backlash
Indian influencers, travel bloggers, former diplomats, and politicians began an aggressive online boycott campaign:
- RJ Raunac, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, and Priyanka Chaturvedi were among the voices urging people to cancel Turkey travel plans.
- Influencers who once romanticized Turkish culture are now promoting Greece or domestic destinations instead.
Even mainstream travel platforms such as:
- Easemytrip
- PickYourTrail
- Travelmint
- Cox & Kings
have announced they will no longer promote tours or flights to Turkey and Azerbaijan.
Shift in Trade Preferences – Indian Traders Join the Boycott
- Pune’s APMC Fruit Market stopped buying Turkish apples, a market worth ₹1,000–1,200 crore annually.
- Demand dropped by over 50%, with traders switching to apples from Himachal, Uttarakhand, and Iran.
- Rajasthan’s marble traders called for a ban on Turkish marble.
This economic boycott reflects a sentiment deeper than market trends—national solidarity and support for the armed forces.
Hypocrisy Debate Among Liberals (Why India is Boycotting Turkey and Azerbaijan)
Some voices in the liberal media, like journalist Saba Naqvi, argued that if Turkey is being boycotted for such actions, then China should be too. However, this sparked further backlash from netizens, pointing out inconsistencies in past stands taken by such commentators regarding Chinese goods.
Implications for Turkey and Azerbaijan
This isn’t just a social media trend—it carries real economic consequences:
- Tourism Decline: Destinations like Istanbul, Antalya, and Baku, once wedding and travel hotspots for Indians, are now witnessing massive cancellations.
- Trade Slowdown: Indian buyers are reconsidering import deals with Turkish firms across sectors.
- Brand Damage: Turkish Airlines and tourism boards are facing backlash, and many Indian websites have delisted Turkish travel services.
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Conclusion – Economic Nationalism Rising in India (Why India is Boycotting Turkey and Azerbaijan)
The boycott of Turkey and Azerbaijan is a reflection of rising economic nationalism in India. Citizens are no longer passive observers but active participants in shaping foreign policy through spending choices. Whether this leads to long-term diplomatic shifts remains to be seen, but the message is clear: India expects loyalty in return for friendship.
Sources:
- Turkey helped Pak attack India, sent 350+ drones, military operatives: India Today
- Indians drop Turkey, Azerbaijan plans: Travel cancellations up 250%: Business Standard
- India-Turkey Trade Hit as Marble Imports Face Boycott: AP7AM
- Shiv Sena wants Turkish firm out of airport in Mumbai amid India-Pakistan escalation: Economic Times
- India blocks Turkey’s ‘TRT World’ and China’s ‘Global Times’ over misinformation: Times of India