Mumbai: IIT Bombay has decided to suspend its agreement with Turkish universities, joining other educational institutions in India in this action. The move comes as a response to Turkey’s support for Pakistan amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan, particularly following a drone attack linked to Pakistan’s military capabilities.
This decision was announced in a post from the Indian Institute of Technology on X (formerly Twitter), indicating that the suspension will remain in place until further notice. The geopolitical climate surrounding Turkey has prompted this response.
Notably, this development follows similar announcements from institutions like Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and Jamia Millia Islamia in Delhi, which have also halted collaborations with Turkey.
Boycott Movement against Turkey and Azerbaijan
In addition to academic ties, Indian tourists have begun to cancel their travel plans to Turkey and Azerbaijan due to their support for Pakistan. Reports reveal that Turkey welcomed over 30 million visitors from India in 2024 alone, generating significant revenue. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan benefited from a smaller number of Indian tourists, but still made a sizable profit.
The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) is spearheading a larger boycott initiative, advocating for a cessation of all trade with Turkey and Azerbaijan. They have called for a nationwide halt on imports from these countries, emphasizing that Indian exporters and business delegations should distance themselves from Turkish and Azerbaijani enterprises.
This boycott is framed as a necessary response to the recent geopolitical developments, especially given India’s sensitive national security concerns related to Turkey and Azerbaijan’s actions.
