 "From apples to marbles & jewellery, Indian traders call for full boycott of Turkey, Azerbaijan over pro-Pakistan stance")
The growing social media movement to ‘ Boycott Turkey ’ is having a tangible impact on Indian businesses with a surge in travel cancellations and backlash against Turkish imports such as apples, jewellery and marble. The campaign stems from Ankara’s vocal support for Pakistan and its criticism of India’s recent cross-border military strikes under ‘Operation Sindoor’.
Tensions escalated after it emerged that Pakistan had deployed Turkish drones extensively during its military confrontation with India. In a strong response, over 125 leading Indian trade representatives have pledged to sever all commercial ties with Turkey and Azerbaijan including suspending travel and tourism activities.
The trade also appealed Indian film industry not to undertake shooting of any film in Turkey & Azerbaijan and if any shooting is done, the business community and the people will boycott such a film. The resolution also warns corporate houses not to shoot any product promotion film in Turkey & Azerbaijan. The decision was taken at a National Conference of Trade Leaders convened by the *Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) in New Delhi, where representatives from 24 states participated.
CAIT Secretary General and Member of Parliament Praveen Khandelwal said “It is deeply unfortunate that Turkey and Azerbaijan, who have benefited from India’s goodwill, aid and strategic support in times of distress, have now chosen to side with Pakistan — a country known globally for its support to terrorism. Their position not only hurts India’s sovereignty and national interest but also directly insults the sentiments of 140 crore Indians.”
The conference noted that Turkey’s repeated anti-India rhetoric at international platforms and its continued support for Pakistan’s narrative are unacceptable, whereas Azerbaijan’s alignment with Turkey and public endorsements of Pakistan’s stand reflect a disturbing disregard for India’s long-standing friendship and assistance.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsCAIT National President B C Bhartia said the traders’ community expressed strong resentment and disappointment against both countries, calling their actions “ungrateful and hostile.” *It was unanimously agreed that such nations do not deserve any economic cooperation or trade advantage from India.
The trade leaders acclaimed the decision of the Government for revoking security clearance for Celebi Ground Handling India Private Limited “, a Turkish company, in the interest of national security, which is handling services at nine major airports of India.
Among the key decisions taken at the meeting was a move to cease all trade with Turkey and Azerbaijan. Traders across India will stop importing goods from these two countries and halt the export of Indian products to them. Indian exporters, importers\ and business delegations will also be discouraged from pursuing any new trade agreements or establishing business ties with Turkish and Azerbaijani entities.
Travel agencies and event planners will be urged not to promote either country as a destination for tourism or business. In addition, a memorandum will be submitted to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Ministry of External Affairs, calling for a policy-level review of all existing commercial relations with Turkey and Azerbaijan.
On Indian traders and businessmen boycotting Turkish apples after Turkey supports Pakistan amid tensions, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said, “This is good. If any country gets involved in any way against India, the people of India will boycott it in every possible way. I truly commend all these traders; this is their real patriotism. India stands united.”
VIDEO | On Indian traders and businessmen boycotting Turkish apples after Turkey's support for Pakistan amid tensions, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta (@gupta_rekha) says, "This is good. If any country gets involved in any way against India, the people of India will boycott it… pic.twitter.com/qvjp2gp4Um
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 16, 2025
Meanwhile, jewellers in Lucknow have decided to boycott the purchase, sale, and display of Turkish-design jewellery and other jewellery items imported from Turkiye. From topping the sales chart on Akshay Tritiya to eventually facing a complete boycott from jewellers, Turkish jewellery items will now have no more takers, jewellers believe.
“On the Akshay Tritiya, which was celebrated recently, the maximum demand was for Turkish jewellery. Now, after Turkey’s active support to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, we have decided not to import any more Turkish jewellery items. A decision in this regard was taken on Wednesday,” Aadish Jain, vice-president of Chowk Sarafa Association, Lucknow told PTI.
Turkish apples are off the shelves in Alwar’s fruit markets as traders in Rajasthan joined the chorus to boycott products from Turkey after it backed Pakistan during India’s military strikes on terror camps in the neighbouring country. Earlier, marble traders in Ajmer had refused to import stones from Turkey.
The Fruit Mandi Union in Alwar has declared a complete halt on the sale of apples imported from Turkey. Traders said the decision reflects public sentiment and is aimed at hurting Turkey’s economic interests.
“More than 15 tonnes of Turkish apples arrive in Rajasthan every day between March and June,” said Saurabh Kalra, General Secretary of the Fruit Mandi Union.
He said “Due to Turkey’s stand against India, we’ve decided to stop selling them. This is not just a market decision, it’s a message. “Posters calling for a ‘Boycott of Turkish apples’ will be put up in shops starting Friday. An awareness drive will also be launched to ensure no Turkish apples are sold in the market. “If any trader is found selling them, it will be treated as an act against national interest,” Kalra added.
Pakistan also used Turkish drones on a large scale during the conflict. While India’s trade ties with both countries have already come under scrutiny, multiple educational institutions, including Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), have either suspended their collaboration with Turkish universities or are considering it.
With inputs from agencies
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