The online anger began after Turkey publicly criticised India’s military strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). On May 7, the Turkish foreign minister issued a sharp statement, warning that India’s actions could lead to a wider war—a comment that sparked immediate backlash online.
Turkish Drones Found in AttacksThe controversy escalated further when Indian authorities confirmed that drones shot down near the border were of Turkish origin. These drones were allegedly used in attacks launched from Pakistani territory — fuelling suspicions of Turkish support to Pakistan.
“India Helped Turkey, Turkey Helped Pakistan”
The online protest took a more emotional turn as users circulated messages highlighting India’s past assistance to Turkey. A viral post summed up the mood: “India helped Turkey in its darkest hour, Turkey helped Pakistan in ours.”
Travel Industry Takes Swift Action
The protest didn’t stay confined to the internet. Major travel firms responded quickly. EaseMyTrip issued an advisory asking travellers to avoid non-essential trips to Turkey. Soon after, Cox & Kings and ixigo suspended all new bookings to the country, citing rising geopolitical tensions.
Tourism Could Suffer a Big Blow
Over 2.75 lakh Indian tourists visited Turkey in 2024, contributing nearly ₹3,000 crore to the Turkish economy. If travel bookings decline as expected, Turkey could see a significant drop in tourism revenue from India.
Trade and Investment Ties at Risk
India-Turkey bilateral trade stood at $10.43 billion in 2023, with India being the larger exporter. In addition, Turkey has received over $227 million in foreign direct investment (FDI) from India. Indian businesses have also invested nearly $200 million in the Turkish market.
What Lies Ahead
If the boycott sentiment on social media translates into real-world action — with fewer bookings, lower product demand, and investment freezes — the economic impact on Turkey could be hard to ignore. With both tourism and trade at stake, Ankara’s ties with New Delhi may be heading into a tense phase.
