JNU Cuts ties with Turkish University, Participates in National Boycott due to Ankara's Support of Pakistan
Re-imagined:
India's relations with Turkey have hit a rough patch, with the latest friction stemming from Turkey's unwavering support for Pakistan amid ongoing disputes between the two South Asian nations. This diplomatic hurdle has recently led to some hefty consequences, including academic partnerships taking a hit and travel exchanges cooling down.
The most recent casualty in this clash of nations is Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), which has announced the termination of its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Inonu University of Turkey. Citing national security concerns, the university stated that they stand firmly behind their nation. The MoU, initially signed in February 2025 and scheduled to last until 2028, has been abruptly cut short.
This development follows a series of diplomatic tensions, including the Indian government's recent blocking of X accounts belonging to Turkey's state-run news outlet, TRT World, accused of disseminating hostile propaganda and misinformation against India. This move has been met with a groundswell of public sentiment advocating for the boycott of Turkish goods and services.
Turkey's vocal support for Pakistan following India's 'Operation Sindoor,' a military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, has not gone unnoticed. Indian travel habits appear to be shifting quickly, with travel booking services such as MakeMyTrip and EaseMyTrip reporting a surge in cancellations for trips to Turkey and Azerbaijan – both nations that have taken a critical tone during 'Operation Sindoor.'
MakeMyTrip, despite continuing to offer flight options to Turkey and Azerbaijan, has expressed solidarity with India's armed forces through a statement. It declared that out of respect for the nation's military, they advise against non-essential travel to Azerbaijan and Turkey. Furthermore, they have halted all promotional campaigns for travel to these destinations.
These actions signal a growing movement towards economic and academic disengagement, with Indian educational institutions like JNU reviewing and suspending academic collaborations with Turkish counterparts due to their nation's stance. Although bilateral trade between the two nations has historically been strong, the current geopolitical landscape has cast uncertainty over future economic cooperation.
- The education sector in India, particularly Jawaharlal Nehru University, has responded to the diplomatic tensions with Turkey by terminating academic partnerships, such as the MoU with Inonu University, citing national security concerns and their support for the nation.
- The ongoing war and conflicts, political differences, and general news of Turkey's vocal support for Pakistan in conflicts with India, have led to increased public sentiment for boycotting Turkish goods and services, as well as a shift in Indian travel habits, with a surge in cancellations for trips to Turkey and Azerbaijan.
