Call for halting trade with Turkiye as Indian institutes cancel pacts

The All-India Gem and Jewellery Domestic Council (GJC) on Friday urged the industry to suspend all business transactions with Turkiye and Azerbaijan, even as reputed educational institutions, such as the IIT-Roorkee, cancelled MoUs signed with the universities of the two countries.

This comes as Istanbul-headquartered ground-handling giant Çelebi Aviation Holding moved the Delhi High Court against aviation watchdog BCAS’s decision to revoke its security clearance in the “interest of national security”. A lawyer associated with the case said the plea is likely to be listed next week.

Celebi was offering services at nine airports, including Delhi, Mumbai and Ahmedabad. These operations now stand cancelled. The Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) has also announced discontinuation of Celebi’s services in compliance with the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security directives.

Shares of the Turkiye-based company tanked nearly 20 per cent over Thursday and Friday following the Indian Government’s decision.

Turkiye has come under sharp criticism for backing Pakistan and condemning India’s strikes on terror camps in the neighbouring country and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) under Operation Sindoor. Pakistan also used Turkish drones on a large-scale during the military conflict with India. Azerbaijan had also actively supported Pakistan in the conflict.

Earlier in the day, hundreds of protesters gathered in Delhi’s high-security Chanakyapuri area, attempting to march towards the Embassy of Turkey. The Delhi Police, however, stopped them and detained several individuals to prevent escalation.

The protesters accused Turkey of betraying India. “Turkey has backstabbed India. When they were in need after the earthquake, we stood by them and sent aid. But what did they do? They supplied drones to Pakistan which were used to attack us,” said a protester affiliated with the Swadeshi Jagran Manch.

The protesters referenced Operation Dost, India’s humanitarian mission launched in February 2023, which provided extensive assistance to Turkey following a devastating earthquake. “India should cut all diplomatic ties with Turkey. This is absolutely unacceptable,” another protester said.

Several trade bodies have given a call to boycott Turkish products, whereas Indian universities, including the JNU and Jamia Millia Islamia, have suspended their agreements with the two countries.

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Roorkee, said it has cancelled its memoranda of understanding (MoU) with Turkiye’s Inonu University. Punjab’s Lovely Professional University, Hyderbabad-based Maulana Azad National Urdu University and Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University in Kanpur have also terminated similar MoUs with educational institutions of Turkiye and Azerbaijan.

GJC chairman Rajesh Rokde said: “The Indian gem and jewellery sector stands united in support of the nation. It is imperative that our industry sets a strong example by prioritising the country over commerce. We call upon every jeweller, manufacturer, trader, and wholesaler to stop all transactions with Turkiye and Azerbaijan.” Jewellers in Lucknow have decided to boycott the purchase, sale and display of Turkish-design jewellery and other jewellery items imported from Turkiye.