How India’s Call to Boycott Turkey for Supporting Pakistan Could Cripple Ankara’s Economy

India’s growing diplomatic assertiveness has recently taken a new turn in response to Turkey’s vocal support for Pakistan, especially in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack and India’s launch of Operation Sindoor. Amid rising tensions, Indian civil society and the private sector have initiated a broad boycott campaign targeting Turkey and its close ally Azerbaijan. This economic retaliation — driven largely by public sentiment and supported by private corporations and trade bodies — is now threatening to inflict substantial damage on the Turkish economy, especially in sectors where India has traditionally been a significant contributor.

Background: Turkey’s Support for Pakistan

The trigger for India’s backlash was Turkey’s public alignment with Pakistan following a terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Ankara’s statements and diplomatic stance were perceived as being sympathetic toward Islamabad and dismissive of India’s concerns over cross-border terrorism. This support struck a nerve in New Delhi, especially at a time when Indian armed forces had launched Operation Sindoor — a counter-terror initiative aimed at dismantling terrorist networks in the region.

India, in response, chose not only to issue diplomatic counter-statements but also allowed grassroots economic responses to gain momentum. The call to boycott Turkish products and tourism is one such response — and one that could have serious consequences for Turkey’s already fragile economy.

Travel Industry Pushback

India is one of the world’s fastest-growing outbound tourism markets, and Turkey has been a popular destination for Indian travelers. In 2024 alone, Indian tourists reportedly contributed over ₹4,000 crore (approximately $500 million USD) to the economies of Turkey and Azerbaijan. This figure includes spending on travel packages, hotel stays, shopping, and food.

Reacting to Turkey’s pro-Pakistan posture, major Indian travel agencies such as EaseMyTrip and Cox & Kings have taken a bold step by suspending all bookings to Turkey and Azerbaijan. These agencies have also advised Indian travelers to avoid non-essential visits to these countries. The move is both symbolic and strategic — a message that economic cooperation will not continue without mutual respect and political alignment.

The Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) has further amplified this action. In a statement, TAAI urged its members to stop promoting Turkey and Azerbaijan as tourist destinations. They also called on the Indian government to issue formal travel advisories against the two nations, a move that could officially institutionalize the boycott.

Trade Boycotts Begin

The tourism boycott has been complemented by consumer-level actions against Turkish imports. In Maharashtra’s Pune district, traders have started pulling Turkish products — particularly apples — from the market shelves. Turkish apples are popular in India due to their appearance and price point, but traders are now choosing to sell domestic or alternative foreign produce instead. This grassroots movement is driven by patriotic sentiment and has found considerable support online through social media campaigns under hashtags like #BoycottTurkey.

This move could have wider implications, as Turkey relies heavily on agricultural exports, and India is one of its emerging markets. A prolonged boycott could force Turkish exporters to seek new markets or suffer economic losses.

Corporate and Investor Pressure

Indian industrialist Harsh Goenka highlighted the potential economic blow India could deal to Turkey and Azerbaijan through tourism and trade restrictions. In a social media post, Goenka pointed out that the ₹4,000 crore tourism contribution could be redirected to nations that are friendly to India. The idea is to use India’s consumer power as leverage in international diplomacy.

Companies with vested interests in Turkey are also beginning to feel the heat. Jubilant FoodWorks, the operator of Domino’s Pizza in India, also runs several outlets in Turkey. The company is now facing scrutiny from Indian investors and the public, who are pressuring it to reconsider its presence in countries that support Pakistan diplomatically.

While there is no immediate withdrawal plan announced, companies like Jubilant may have to reassess their operational strategies if the boycott gains further momentum.

Impact on Turkey’s Economy

Turkey’s economy is already under stress due to inflation, currency devaluation, and a reliance on tourism and exports. Indian tourists, although not the largest group, represent a high-spending demographic that benefits hotels, airlines, and local businesses in Turkey. Losing Indian clientele could dent Turkey’s post-COVID recovery in tourism.

Moreover, the negative perception spreading among Indian consumers could influence broader bilateral trade. In fiscal year 2022-23, India-Turkey trade was valued at over $12 billion. Although a significant portion of this includes oil and steel, a portion is made up of consumer goods, agricultural produce, and services. If the boycott extends to more sectors, the damage could be substantial and long-term.

A Diplomatic Signal

India’s boycott campaign is more than an economic tool — it is a diplomatic signal to countries that take stances perceived to be against Indian interests. New Delhi is increasingly leveraging its economic power to shape global narratives, particularly on matters related to its sovereignty and national security.

This incident reflects India’s evolving foreign policy, which no longer shies away from hard responses, even when dealing with fellow members of international forums like the G20, of which Turkey is also a part.

India’s call to boycott Turkey over its support for Pakistan is fast turning into a powerful economic campaign with real-world implications. From tourism and trade to corporate and public sentiment, multiple levers are being used to pressure Ankara into rethinking its diplomatic approach.

While the ultimate effectiveness of this boycott remains to be seen, what is already evident is India’s growing ability to turn domestic sentiment into foreign policy pressure — a tactic that could be replicated in future geopolitical standoffs. For Turkey, the message is clear: economic ties with India cannot be divorced from political accountability.

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