Among the countries that have morally, diplomatically, and militarily supported Pakistan during its conflict with India, Turkey has been a conspicuous ally, never previously a true friend to India. For a long time, Turkey has backed Pakistan over Kashmir. Despite this, Turkey has been dearly cherished by Indians. However, the time has come for India and its people to recognize their adversaries. A country that targets our soldiers and civilians with its drones and armaments, and aligns with our enemy, encouraging conflict against India: Why should we enhance its economic prosperity? Why not boycott a nation notorious for aiding Islamic terrorists worldwide? Here are the ways through which Indians can thwart this nation’s ambitions.
The outset of this movement has already taken root in the country. Recent reports have emerged about numerous people canceling their travel bookings to Turkey. The sentiment in Goa was notably pronounced. Several hotels and travel agencies in Goa refused to serve Turkish citizens and severed partnerships with Turkish Airlines. A growing demand for boycotting Turkish products and tourism can be seen across social media platforms.
It isn’t the first time Turkey has been accused of supporting a terrorist state. In the past, it has been known for this. Between 2011 and 2014, some sources, including former U.S. Ambassador Francis Ricciardone, claimed that Turkey supported groups like Al-Nusra Front and Ahrar al-Sham in Syria. Kurdish leaders, such as Meysa Abdo, in 2014 claimed that Turkey allowed the free movement of ISIS fighters and weapons across the Syria-Turkey border. Some Arab and Syrian media asserted that Turkey helped Uyghur fighters from the Turkestan Islamic Party settle in Syria, allegedly later targeting China. Though these claims remain controversial and unverified independently, in 2020, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan publicly entertained senior Hamas leaders. The United States Department of State objected, labeling these actions as fostering terrorism, alleging that Turkey hosted 12 Hamas members and issued Turkish passports to them. It is imperative for the Indian government to actively lobby to classify Turkey as a terrorism-supporting nation.
You might have heard about the OTT film “Jewel Thief,” featuring stars like Saif Ali Khan, shot in Turkey. The filming of Indian movies and TV series in Turkey significantly boosts its economic, tourism, and cultural sectors. Each year, 5-10 major Bollywood films and 10-15 TV serial episodes are filmed in Turkey. Shooting an average Bollywood film in Turkey costs between 1-5 million rupees (US$ 12,000-60,000) per day, covering location rent, local crew, transportation, and accommodation. A week's filming can contribute about US$ 100,000-500,000, with TV series shoots costing US$ 5,000-20,000 a day. Altogether, Indian film and series shoots bring Turkey an estimated US$ 2-5 million annually.
Film shootings also spotlight Turkish tourist destinations, such as Istanbul, Cappadocia, and Antalya, among Indian viewers. For instance, the film “Dil Dhadakne Do” (2015) highlighted the vistas of Cappadocia, spiking Indian tourism there. Some affluent Indian families also pick Turkey for destination weddings, contributing millions to the local economy. Halting these shoots could tarnish Turkey's image, potentially impacting its revenue streams.
Turkey has emerged as a popular destination amongst Indian tourists. In 2024, over 275,000 Indian tourists visited Turkey, with each spending an average of approximately 1.2 lakh rupees. Turkish officials aim to further inflate these tourist numbers by 2025.
For instance, a Turkish official in February 2024 expressed a national strategy to increase Indian tourist numbers by 30%, seeking partnerships to enhance tourism. In 2024, Turkey garnered revenue of US$ 300-400 million from Indian tourists. A filming cessation in Turkey could decrease the promotion of Turkish tourist spots, inherently reducing tourists.
Business is the primary channel through which Turkey garners substantial benefits from India. According to the India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF), bilateral trade between India and Turkey reached US$ 10.4 billion during FY24 (April 2023-March 2024), with India exporting US$ 6.66 billion worth of goods and importing US$ 3.78 billion from Turkey. This trade surplus indicates Turkey’s dependence on importing Indian goods, valued at approximately US$ 7 billion in 2024, as per Trading Economics data. These imports form the backbone of Turkey’s industrial and consumer needs. For instance, engineering goods and petroleum products are essential for Turkey’s manufacturing and energy sectors, while pharmaceuticals and chemicals cater to healthcare and industrial applications.
