Payback Time: Turkey’s support for Pakistan sparks backlash among swadeshi activists

The economic crackdown on Turkey in India is a direct result of Turkey's open support for Pakistan.

Turkey is in serious trouble in India. A nationwide, systemic, and sustained campaign is being launched by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)-inspired Swadeshi Jagaran Manch (SJM) against Turkey, with a major focus on hurting it economically.

The SJM has urged Indians to boycott Turkish products, travel, and cultural exports as a mark of solidarity with our soldiers and national interests. “Let us choose self-reliance over strategic dependence on nations that empower our adversaries,” it said in an official communiqué.

The SJM will be taking this fight against Turkey to the streets of India. It held a demonstration at the Turkish embassy in New Delhi on May 16, with more such demonstrations likely to follow. The SJM had previously launched a successful campaign against Chinese goods and services, which made a significant impact.

In this current campaign against Turkey, the SJM is likely to bring in not only a few other RSS-inspired organisations but also leverage its network with local trade bodies and market associations across the country. This network proved to be quite effective during the campaign against Chinese goods.

The economic crackdown on Turkey in India is a direct result of Turkey's open support for Pakistan, a sponsor of terrorism, during the recent India-Pakistan conflict. After the cessation of hostilities between the two nations, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated his support to “brotherly" Islamabad. He told Pakistan that Ankara would “continue to stand by your side through both good times and bad".

His remarks came in response to Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s post on X, in which the latter thanked Erdoğan for “strong support and unwavering solidarity” for Pakistan.

The SJM has pointed out that Turkey, the second-largest arms supplier to Pakistan after China, has played a key role in modernising Pakistan’s navy and enhancing its aerial warfare capabilities. Among the most disturbing developments cited by SJM are:

* Turkey has delivered MILGEM-class warships to Pakistan under a $1.5 billion deal, strengthening Pakistan’s naval strike capabilities.

* Turkish company Baykar has supplied Pakistan with Bayraktar TB2 and Akıncı armed drones.

* Turkey’s STM is upgrading Pakistan’s Agosta 90B submarines under a $350 million agreement.

* An electronic warfare test range has been established in Pakistan with the help of HAVELSAN, Turkey’s defence electronics major.

* A $1.5 billion deal was signed for 30 T129 ATAK helicopters, although delivery has been delayed due to third-party approvals.

Meanwhile, here in India, the Central Government has revoked the security clearance of Turkish cargo firm Celebi Aviation, which was providing passenger handling, flight operations, cargo and postal services, as well as the management of aerobridges and warehouse services at airports across nine cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Goa, Cochin, and Kannur. Additionally, Indian tourists have started cancelling their plans to visit Turkey. Last year, about 280,000 Indians travelled to Turkey and spent about $350–400 million there.

It is important to note that tourism is the lifeblood of Turkey, as it helps turn its chronic current account deficit into a surplus. The sector contributes about 10% to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) and accounts for about 5% of total employment. According to official statistics, Turkey’s tourism income jumped by 8.3% in 2024 to $61.1 billion, surpassing the previous high of $54.3 billion in 2023.

Trade Relations

As far as trade between India and Turkey is concerned, India exported goods worth $5.21 billion to Turkey between April and February of FY25, marking a year-on-year decline of nearly 15 percent. During the same period, Turkey's exports to India totalled $2.84 billion, down 17.25 percent from FY24.

India recorded a trade surplus of $2.37 billion with Turkey in this timeframe. However, Turkey makes up only 1.5 percent of India’s total exports.

Action Plan

The SJM has come out with a five-point plan to deal with Turkey. The action plan suggests:

1. Impose Economic Sanctions: Restrict non-essential imports from Turkey and impose higher duties on key Turkish commodities such as marble, chemicals, and machinery.

2. Suspend Civil Aviation Links: Temporarily suspend direct flights to Turkey and revoke aviation codeshare privileges until Turkey halts defence supplies to Pakistan.

3. Discourage Outbound Tourism: Issue a travel advisory to Indian citizens against visiting Turkey and withdraw tourism promotion cooperation.

4. Re-evaluate Diplomatic Engagements: Reduce the level of diplomatic and cultural exchanges with Turkey, and reassess all bilateral agreements.

5. Promote Domestic Alternatives: Urge Indian businesses and consumers to switch to Indian substitutes for Turkish goods and promote domestic destinations in place of Istanbul, Antalya, and Cappadocia.

Earlier RSSFACTS columns can be read here.