Indian tourists boycotting Turkey and Azerbaijan

 

 

INDIANS are boycotting Turkey and Azerbaijan due to their support for Pakistan after Operation Sindoor, a military operation launched by India in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. Over 15,000 bookings from Uttar Pradesh to Turkey and Azerbaijan have been cancelled, with travel agencies and airlines offering full refunds. Dr Ajay Singh, National Convenor of the Tourist Guide Federation of India and Chairperson of the Varanasi Tourism Organisation, expressed that during Operation Sindoor, India saw unprecedented national unity, with people from all backgrounds standing together in patriotism. However, Turkey and Azerbaijan’s support for Pakistan during this critical time has angered the Indian public, prompting travellers to cancel their tours to these nations. Ajay Singh explained that the cancellations primarily affect outbound tourism to Turkey and Azerbaijan, with two-thirds of bookings now cancelled. The boycott is driven by national sentiment, with many Indians expressing outrage over Turkey and Azerbaijan’s stance on the India-Pakistan conflict.

 

RSS affiliate calls for sanctions against Turkey: RSS-affiliate Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) on Wednesday urged the Government to impose economic sanctions, suspend civil aviation links, discourage outbound tourism and re-evaluate diplomatic engagements with Turkey due to its “unholy alliance” with Pakistan which directly compromises India’s security. “Nation first, business later”: EaseMyTrip: EASEMYTRIP Co-Founder Prashant Pitti on Wednesday said the national interest comes first and the business interest later, echoing the call for boycotting Turkey and Azerbaijan, after these countries openly supported Pakistan during the recent conflict with India. Turkey and Azerbaijan have rallied behind Pakistan despite its support for cross-border terrorism against India and its aggression after the Indian Armed Forces struck nine terror infrastructure sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. The SJM also appealed to the people of India to avoid travelling to Turkey and boycott its products in solidarity with the country’s soldiers and national interest. This comes amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following their four-day military confrontation. The conflict saw Pakistan unleash swarms of Turkish drones to target Indian military facilities. 

 

 

JAWAHARLAL Nehru University has suspended an academic memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Turkiye’s Inonu University, citing national security considerations, officials of the university here confirmed on Tuesday. The MoU was inked on February 3 for a period 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 said. 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.