New Delhi: India is enraged with Turkey over its support to Pakistan while Operation Sindoor was underway. Ankara had spoken against India for striking terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. It was also reported that Pakistan deployed Turkish kamikaze drones in its failed attempt to target Indian military installations.
Now, Turkey is facing massive backlash in India. Various sections across the country have given a ‘Boycott Turkey’ call. And this call is mounting and gaining momentum. Leading from the front in the protest against Turkish goods is Udaipur, India’s marble hub. Amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan, marble traders from the Mewar region are trying to inflict economic damage on Turkey for siding with Pakistan.
The Udaipur Marble Processors Association, which represents 125 marble firms, has asked the government to immediately stop marble imports from Turkey. Turkey currently accounts for about 70 percent of India’s imported marble — around 15 lakh tonnes annually — valued over Rs 2,500 crore.
Kapil Surana, President, Udaipur Marble Processors Association, said, “During the heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, reports emerged that Turkey had supplied drones to Pakistan for attacks against India. The Turkish government was seen openly siding with Pakistan, a country known for harbouring terrorism. In response, a boycott of Turkish goods has begun in India. Mewar region, a major hub for the marble industry, imports thousands of tonnes of marble from Turkey. Taking a significant step, members of the Udaipur Marble Processors Association have initiated a boycott of Turkish marble imports.”
He added: “Marble traders believe that although large quantities of marble have long been imported from Turkey, the country is now visibly aligned with Pakistan, a known supporter of terrorism. Therefore, we have decided to boycott Turkish goods as well. Moreover, the Marble Processors Association has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the government to sever all trade ties with Turkey.”
Hitesh Patel, General Secretary, Udaipur Marble Processors Association, said: “To cripple Turkey economically, marble traders from the Mewar region have stepped forward and are now working to expand their movement by involving more and more traders. Currently, around 15 tonnes of marble are imported across the country, with about 70 percent coming from Turkey, valued at over Rs 2,500 crore. Over 50 major traders in Udaipur were also importing marble in large quantities from Turkey, but they have now decided to boycott it.”
Say ‘No’ to Turkish apples
Turkish apples are also facing boycott by traders. In cities like Pune and Mumbai, traders have stopped stocking Turkish apples. They are replacing them with produce from Iran, the US, New Zealand, and domestic orchards in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
Kuldeep Singh Rathore, a senior Congress spokesperson and legislator from Himachal Pradesh’s apple-growing belt, has sought an immediate ban on importing apples and other goods from Turkey. Rathore accused Turkey of diplomatic betrayal, as he pointed to India’s humanitarian assistance during Turkey’s 2023 earthquake crisis under Operation Dost.
He asked Indians to boycott Turkish products and tourism, stating that India cannot afford to let any nation exploit its goodwill while arming threats to national security.
Subhash Goyal, Chairman of Tourism Committee at the Chamber of Commerce, has reportedly said that the Travel Agent Association of India and the rest of the travel associations have backed a boycott of Turkey and Azerbaijan. Online travel platforms MakeMyTrip and EaseMyTrip have reportedly witnessed a spike in cancellations from Indian tourists travelling to Turkey and Azerbaijan, after their anti-India stance.
Several vendors in Uttar Pradesh have also vowed to snap all business ties with Turkey in protest against its support for Pakistan.
