As calls to boycott Turkish goods and services grow louder across India, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has reaffirmed his country’s strong support for Pakistan, further fuelling outrage in New Delhi.
The controversy erupted after it emerged that Turkey had provided military assistance — including combat drones and personnel — to Pakistan during its recent armed escalation with India following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, that killed 26 civilians. The attack, carried out by Pakistan-based and trained terrorists, led to India's counter-operation dubbed Operation Sindoor, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
According to India Today, in a pointed message to Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Erdogan said, “As in the past, we will continue to stand by you in good times and bad in the future.” The Turkish leader's words came despite rising criticism from Indian citizens and businesses, who have voiced anger over what they see as Ankara’s betrayal — especially after India sent humanitarian assistance to Turkey following its devastating 2023 earthquake under Operation Dost.
What has intensified Indian fury is the allegation that Turkey not only supplied Bayraktar TB2 and YIHA drones to Islamabad, but also deployed operatives alongside them. A Turkish Air Force C-130 transport aircraft and a naval warship were reported to have reached Pakistan during the flare-up.
The Turkish-Pakistani military cooperation during the high-tension period is being viewed in India as an unfriendly act that undermines bilateral ties. Hashtags like #BoycottTurkey have been trending on Indian social media, with prominent public figures and business leaders calling for a re-evaluation of economic and diplomatic ties with Ankara.
While the Indian government has yet to officially respond to Erdogan’s remarks, sources within diplomatic circles suggest that the Turkish stance may have long-term implications on bilateral relations, particularly trade and cultural exchanges.
India, which has long prided itself on supporting nations during humanitarian crises regardless of political alignment, now faces a sobering reassessment of its goodwill diplomacy — as public sentiment hardens in the face of what many are calling a "stab in the back.
