JNU suspends MoU with Turkey university citing ‘national security considerations’

The move comes amid rising India-Pakistan tensions and frustration over Turkey’s backing of Pakistan

The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) on Wednesday said it has suspended an agreement with Turkey's Inonu University citing “national security considerations”. The move comes amid rising India-Pakistan tensions and frustration over Turkey’s backing of Pakistan.

Taking to X, the university informed that the cancellation would remain in effect until further notice.

“Due to National Security considerations, the MoU between JNU and Inonu University, Türkiye stands suspended until further notice. JNU stands with the Nation," the university said in a post on X.

According to the JNU website, the agreement was signed on February 3, 2025, with a validity of three years.

"We have suspended the MoU with Turkiye's Inonu University. Under the pact, there were plans for faculty exchange and student exchange programmes, among others," a senior JNU official told PTI.

Inonu University, at Malatya in Turkiye, had entered into the academic partnership with JNU as part of efforts to boost cross-cultural research and student collaboration.

The decision by the premier university follows escalating tensions between India and Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack last month. The two countries agreed on May 10 to cease military operations after four days of heavy cross-border drone and missile exchanges.

India's trade relation with Turkiye is expected to come under strain due to Ankara backing Islamabad and condemning India's recent strikes on terror camps in Pakistan.

Following their support to Pakistan, calls for boycotting Turkish goods and tourism have surfaced across the country, with online travel platforms such as EaseMyTrip and Ixigo issuing advisories against visiting such nations.