India’s Travel Industry Reconsiders Turkey Amid Diplomatic Strain

 New Delhi — India’s travel and trade relations with Turkey are witnessing a sharp downturn, echoing the diplomatic freeze with the Maldives earlier this year. The shift follows Ankara’s reported decision to supply arms and ammunition to Pakistan amid rising tensions with New Delhi—despite India’s earlier humanitarian assistance to Turkey after its devastating earthquake.

The development has triggered calls for a nationwide boycott of Turkish tourism and goods, with industry stakeholders and political leaders alike voicing strong opposition to any continued engagement. The situation closely mirrors the January 2024 standoff with the Maldives, where a political row over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Lakshadweep sparked a widespread backlash, online campaigns, and mass cancellations by Indian travelers.

Travel platforms such as EaseMyTrip and Ixigo have already suspended bookings related to Turkey. The sentiment has been further amplified by leading political voices across party lines. Former Union Minister and senior Congress leader Rajeev Shukla called for an immediate halt to Indian weddings in Turkey, while Shiv Sena (Uddhav) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi described tourism to the country as "blood money."

Turkey had seen a substantial rise in Indian tourist arrivals in recent years. In 2023, approximately 275,000 Indian tourists visited the country, a number that grew by more than 20 percent in 2024 to 325,000. However, the recent developments have cast uncertainty over future travel flows.

The growing discontent has extended beyond tourism to trade, particularly in the agri-import segment. Turkish apples, which previously enjoyed a 6–8% share in India’s imported fruit market, have seen a noticeable decline in demand. Traders and wholesalers report a sharp drop in orders, with many Indian retailers switching to alternatives from Iran, New Zealand, and the United States.

“We used to move over 1,000 boxes of Turkish apples regularly, but sales have plummeted,” said a major fruit distributor. “Retailers are saying customers are consciously avoiding Turkish produce.”

According to government data, approximately 160,000 tonnes of apples were imported from Turkey in the current fiscal year. However, growers’ associations—long critical of rising fruit imports—are now urging for a complete ban on Turkish apples, citing both market protectionism and national interest.

Government sources suggest that Turkey stands to lose more in this diplomatic fallout. “Turkey needs India—for pulses, oilseeds, and steel—more than India needs Turkey,” an official source said, adding that earlier plans to scale up bilateral trade to $20 billion are likely to be re-evaluated.

“There is no official advisory against travel to Turkey,” the source noted. “But given the public sentiment, travel platforms have already reported a decline in bookings. We leave it to private players and the public to make informed choices.”

As of now, there are no formal government restrictions on tourism or trade with Turkey. However, given the evolving geopolitical context, analysts expect sustained pressure on Turkish sectors reliant on Indian consumers.