Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held talks with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Istanbul, just weeks after a military confrontation between India and Pakistan. The meeting aimed to strengthen bilateral cooperation between Turkiye and Pakistan, especially in key sectors such as defence, energy, and transportation. According to Erdogan’s office, both nations are committed to deepening ties in these areas.

Turkiye has taken a strong diplomatic stance during the recent India-Pakistan conflict. It issued a warning about the potential for an “all-out war” between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. Erdogan urged both India and Pakistan to exercise restraint and act with wisdom to avoid further escalation. Additionally, Turkiye expressed its support for Islamabad’s call for an international investigation into the Pahalgam attack, which further strained its relations with India.

On May 10, India and Pakistan announced a ceasefire agreement, marking a temporary pause in hostilities. Despite this diplomatic move, Turkiye’s alignment with Pakistan on several sensitive issues has attracted sharp criticism from India.

Turkiye and Pakistan share historically close economic and military ties. In February, Erdogan had visited Islamabad, and during that visit, the two nations signed 24 agreements aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation. These agreements highlight the long-standing partnership and trust between the two countries.

However, India has not responded positively to Turkiye’s growing proximity to Pakistan, especially during such a sensitive time. India’s Ministry of External Affairs recently commented on the issue, with spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stating that bilateral relations are built on mutual respect and sensitivity to each other’s concerns. He further emphasized that India expects Turkiye to press Pakistan to stop its support for cross-border terrorism and to take verifiable steps against long-standing terror networks.

In response to Turkiye’s stance, there has been a noticeable backlash in India. Indian grocery shops and major online fashion retailers began boycotting Turkish products, including chocolates, coffee, jams, cosmetics, and clothing. Prominent e-commerce platforms, including those owned by Flipkart and Reliance (owned by billionaire Mukesh Ambani), removed Turkish brands from their listings.

The impact of these actions could be significant, as India annually imports goods worth around $2.7 billion from Turkiye, largely comprising mineral fuels and precious metals. While there is no official government-mandated boycott, the trade relationship is clearly under strain, and the long-term effects on bilateral commerce remain uncertain.

Furthermore, Indian travel companies have joined the protest by suspending bookings for flights, hotels, and tour packages to Turkiye. They stated that this move was made “in solidarity with India’s national interest and sovereignty.” Though not a formal government directive, the collective actions by Indian private sector businesses reflect a growing sentiment of dissatisfaction with Turkiye’s recent diplomatic actions.

Adding to the tension, on May 15, India’s Civil Aviation Ministry revoked the security clearance of Celebi, a Turkish-based aviation ground handling company operating in India. This decision is seen as a significant move indicating New Delhi’s increasing displeasure with Ankara.

Overall, these developments signal a period of heightened tension and deteriorating diplomatic and economic ties between India and Turkiye, driven by the latter’s support for Pakistan during a time of regional conflict.