New Delhi: After Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Jamia Millia Islamia has suspended MoU (memorandum of understanding) with educational institutions contracted with Turkish government. Since Turkey has publicly supported Pakistan during its conflict with India as the latter launched ‘Operation Sindoor’ on terrorist camps, Indian universities are cutting ties with Ankara and its educational institutions. Not just support, but Turkey has reportedly supplied Pakistan with drones which were used against India.
According to reports, Professor Saima Saeed, Public Relations Officer at Jamia Millia Islamia, said “Jamia has suspended all forms of collaboration with Turkish educational institutions and other Turkish establishments. We stand with the government and the nation. Everything remains suspended until further notice.”
Earlier, JNU suspended its MoU with Turkey’s Inonu University. On February 3, the MoU was signed and the agreement was for three years, including faculty and student exchange programmes along with other academic activities. The Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit said, “JNU has suspended the MoU due to national security reasons as it stands with the nation and the armed forces, many of whom are JNU alumni.”
Kanpur University follows suit
Not just JNU and Jamia Millia Islamia, Kanpur University has also cancelled the MoU signed with Istanbul University in Turkey. On the other hand, Delhi University is reviewing its international educational agreements and as per reports, it is reviewing all the MoUs, and only after the review that any decision will be taken. Meanwhile, many people in India have started to boycott Turkish products and have cancelled trips to the country. Several online travel platforms like Ixigo and EaseMyTrip have issued advisories against travelling to Turkey and some other West Asian countries.
