Indian consumers have taken notice of rising diplomatic tensions between Turkey and India, prompting a boycott of Turkish products in India. This movement, motivated by Turkey’s support of Pakistan during recent conflicts, has had lasting economic and cultural effects across India. The Times of India +5 Retail and Consumer Goods The All India Consumer Products Distributors Federation (AICPDF), representing more than 13 million small retailers, announced an “indefinite and total boycott” of Turkish-originated goods – such as chocolates, jams, biscuits and skincare products valued at approximately $234 million annually – from its stores. Mint South China Morning Post Moneycontrol And Dawn both reported similar decisions. Prayagraj and Lucknow traders have reduced the sale of Turkish apples, shifting demand towards domestic produce from Himachal Pradesh and Kashmir as well as imports from South Africa and New Zealand. min-THE Times OF INDIA Fashion and E-Commerce Major Indian e-commerce platforms have joined in the boycott, including Flipkart’s Myntra fashion subsidiary and Reliance’s AJIO, by withdrawing Turkish apparel brands such as Trendyol, LC Waikiki, Mavi, and Koton from their listings without direct involvement from parent companies or via their subsidiaries. Sources indicate these actions were taken “in the national interest” without direct influence by these parent companies. @EconomicTimes+12 @Arab News+12 @EconomicTimes+9 @EconomicTimes +12 @EconomicTimes +9 @EconomicTimes+9 @EconomicTimes+9 @EconomicTimes+9 @EconomicTimes+9 @EconomicTimes+3 Dawn with+3 Dawn on 3 Feb 2017 Travel and Tourism Its The travel sector has also felt the impact. Platforms such as MakeMyTrip and EaseMyTrip reported a 60% drop in bookings and 250% spike in cancellations of trips to Turkey and Azerbaijan. Tour operators in Prayagraj have discontinued selling packages that include Turkey from Europe due to national sentiment against supporting these nations’ tourism industries. mint Indiatimes + 2Wikipedia = mint umplut Indiatimes umplut The Times of India = 2 Aviation and Corporate Repercussions In December 2013, India’s Bureau of Civil Aviation Security suspended Celebi from operations due to national security concerns, prompting them to file suit against it alleging lack of due process and adverse effect on operations. Moneycontrol, Financial Times and mint have reported on this development with mixed coverage: respectively Moneycontrol (+3) Financial Times +3 and mint both have coverage. Academic and Cultural Changes Academic institutions are also reconsidering their relations with Turkey, including Jamia Millia Islamia University of Delhi’s suspension of MOUs with government-affiliated entities as a precaution due to national security considerations. For example, Mint has reported on this story which can be seen here and here (Mint is currently up +1 for Indiatimes). In Surat, Turkeywaad faces calls for renaming in order to better reflect Indian culture and national pride, underscoring its cultural aspects of boycotting. (Sources) (The Times of India; +2) Conclusion Its While India’s government has yet to issue an official boycott order against Turkey, businesses, consumers, and institutions across India have taken collective steps that demonstrate a significant shift in India’s economic and cultural engagement with Turkey. We remain curious to observe what will become of bilateral trade and diplomatic ties as this situation develops further.
