Mumbai: Rahool Kanal, Shiv Sena’s social media incharge, wrote letters to Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, asking for the suspension of flights from Mumbai to Istanbul. He demanded this action till Turkey clearly distances itself from supporting Pakistan in its conflicts with India.
Kanal expressed serious concern over Turkey’s recent actions, which he believes show support for Pakistan against India’s fight against terrorism. He said that India should reconsider its relationship with Turkey given the situation.
Mumbai, being a major center for tourism in India, contributes about 36 percent of the country’s total tourism. Many Indians visit Turkey every year, making India one of Turkey’s biggest sources of tourists and spending. Kanal said that unless Turkey publicly condemns Pakistan’s support for terrorism against India, the government should ban all flights from Mumbai to Turkey.
He said that the three flights from Mumbai to Istanbul by Turkish Airlines and one flight by IndiGo scheduled for May 29 should be stopped immediately. Kanal said this would be a fitting response showing India’s commitment to national security and sovereignty.
Besides suspending flights, Kanal suggested other measures including diplomatic actions like suspending diplomatic relations with Turkey, imposing economic sanctions by restricting trade and investments, raising the issue in international forums to gather global support against Turkey’s actions, and banning tourism between the two countries.
Kanal said that India accounts for 30 percent of tourists visiting Turkey, with over 300,000 Indian tourists expected in 2024. This makes the tourism sector important in the India-Turkey relationship.
Earlier, on May 22, the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India expects Turkey to urge Pakistan strongly to stop supporting cross-border terrorism. He added that relations between countries should be based on respect for each other’s concerns.
Following Turkey’s alleged support for Pakistan, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security withdrew security clearance for a Turkish company, Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd, citing national security concerns. Celebi has challenged this decision in the Delhi High Court.
