After JNU and Jamia, Hyderabad’s MANUU and Kanpur University cut ties with Turkish institutions

Hyderabad’s MANUU

In a coordinated response to Turkey’s vocal support for Pakistan, four prominent Indian universities have now severed academic ties with Turkish institutions. Following Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), Hyderabad’s Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) and Kanpur University have both announced the termination of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Turkish partners, citing national security concerns and geopolitical considerations.

On Thursday, MANUU announced the termination of its five-year MoU with the Yunus Emre Institute — a Turkish government-affiliated cultural body — in protest against Turkey’s support for Pakistan in the aftermath of India’s Operation Sindoor. The military operation, launched in response to a terror attack in Pahalgam, has drawn strong reactions from Turkey and Azerbaijan, both of whom backed Islamabad and criticised India’s military response.

“The decision has been taken in protest against Turkey’s support for Pakistan’s terrorist activities in the context of Indo-Pak tensions,” the university said in an official press release.

MANUU announced cancellation of MoU with #Turkey
@officialmanuu Maulana Azad National Urdu University has announced the cancellation of its academic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Yunus Emre Institute, Turkey with immediate effect. @yeeorgtrThe decision is taken in pic.twitter.com/R8yMMtFKEY Jacob Ross (@JacobBhoompag) May 15, 2025

On the same day, Kanpur University also announced that it had formally withdrawn its academic agreement with Istanbul University. Quoted by India Today, the university stated: “This move is a direct consequence of Turkey assuming a critical geopolitical stance to join hands with a nation which is openly hostile to India's sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

This marks the fourth such severing of academic cooperation with Turkish institutions within a span of two days. On Wednesday, JNU suspended its MoU with Turkey’s Inonu University. "Due to national security considerations, the MoU between JNU and Inonu University stands suspended until further notice. JNU stands with the nation," the university stated on its official X handle, tagging senior government officials and using the hashtag #NationFirst.

Shortly after, Jamia Millia Islamia followed suit, announcing a blanket suspension of all collaborations with Turkish institutions. “Jamia stands with the nation and the Government of India,” the university said in a statement on X.

These moves reflect growing academic alignment with India’s national security priorities. The Association of Indian Universities (AIU) has also urged institutions to review and reconsider ongoing collaborations with Pakistan, Turkey and Bangladesh.

Beyond the university campuses, the ripple effects are being felt across other sectors. Online travel portal MakeMyTrip has reportedly seen a 60% decline in bookings to Turkey and Azerbaijan, with cancellations spiking by 250%, as reported by The Times of India. The platform has since removed all promotions for travel to the two countries.

The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), meanwhile, has called upon the Indian film industry to avoid Turkey as a shooting location. “We must not collaborate with countries that support anti-India sentiments,” FWICE said in a statement issued on Wednesday.

Adding to the string of developments, the Indian government has also revoked the security clearance of Celebi Airport Services, the Indian arm of a Turkish ground-handling firm operating at major airports in Delhi, Bengaluru, Goa and Hyderabad.