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Anti-Türkiye sentiment is rising across India amid renewed tensions with Pakistan, as political frustrations and unverified claims spark a sweeping backlash against Turkish businesses and products.
From local neighborhood shops to major e-commerce platforms, Indian businesses are actively boycotting Turkish-made goods. The campaign targets a wide range of products, including Turkish coffee, chocolates, cosmetics and clothing.
The boycott gained momentum after Türkiye publicly supported Islamabad during its latest standoff with New Delhi. On Monday, the All India Consumer Products Distributors Federation (AICPDF) announced an “indefinite and complete boycott” of all products originating from Türkiye.
AICPDF, which supplies over 13 million small businesses across India, said the move would affect items such as chocolates, wafers, jams, biscuits and beauty products.
According to three sources cited by Reuters, major Indian fashion platforms Flipkart and Reliance have backed the boycott and removed Turkish brands from sale. Myntra, the Flipkart-owned fashion retailer, said the decision was made “in the national interest,” while Reliance’s AJIO cited “national sensitivities” as the reason for delisting Turkish goods.
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Turkish tourism has also taken a hit, with Indian travelers reportedly canceling their trips to both Türkiye and Azerbaijan after both countries expressed solidarity with Pakistan. Travel data indicates a sharp decline in interest from Indian tourists.
MakeMyTrip, one of India’s largest travel agencies, reported a 60% drop in reservations to Türkiye and Azerbaijan over the past week, with cancellations rising by 250%. Promotional offers for both destinations have also been suspended.
A tourism expert told Türkiye Today that the boycott is unlikely to make a significant impact overall, as Indian tourist numbers are relatively small compared to other nationalities. However, the expert noted that Türkiye’s growing popularity as a destination for Indian weddings could be affected. “Around 15 large Indian weddings are held in Türkiye annually, compared to nearly 300 in Thailand,” the expert said.
Despite the fallout, Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy sought to reassure the international community, saying Türkiye remains a welcoming destination for all visitors, regardless of political tensions.
In a further escalation, India has revoked the security clearance of Türkiye-based Celebi Aviation, which manages about 70% of ground operations at Mumbai Airport. The decision was made on national security grounds amid intensified boycott calls over Ankara’s support for Pakistan..
Indian celebrities are also joining the campaign. Singer Rahul Vaidya revealed that he turned down a 5 million Indian rupees (about $58,500) offer to perform at a wedding in Antalya, citing “national interest.”
“The offer was lucrative — 5 million Indian rupees,” Vaidya told the Times of India. “But I told them no work, no money, and no fame is bigger than the interest of the country. They even offered me more, but it wasn’t about the money.”"
The backlash follows Türkiye’s vocal support for Pakistan after India launched Operation Sindoor — a series of airstrikes carried out on May 6 in retaliation for a terrorist attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people.
India said it had struck nine militant targets across the border, including locations in Pakistan-administered Azad Kashmir. Pakistan accused India of targeting civilian areas, reporting 31 deaths and 57 injuries. Islamabad also claimed it downed five Indian fighter jets and 25 Harop drones, although New Delhi has not confirmed any aircraft losses.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the strikes as a “moment of pride,” while Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attacks and warned India would “suffer the consequences.”
Türkiye’s vocal support for Pakistan during the conflict has drawn sharp criticism from Indian political leaders. Sharif thanked Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for his support, saying: “My dear brother, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s strong support and unwavering solidarity with Pakistan has deeply moved me.”
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