Introduction
India’s trade relations with Turkey and Azerbaijan are facing increasing strain due to their support for Pakistan amid ongoing tensions in Kashmir. Following India’s recent strikes on terror camps in Pakistan, Ankara and Baku have voiced condemnation, triggering calls within India to boycott Turkish goods and tourism. This blog explores how these geopolitical developments impact trade, tourism, and bilateral relations.
Why Are India’s Ties With Turkey and Azerbaijan Under Pressure?
Both Turkey and Azerbaijan have criticised India’s military operations, specifically Operation Sindoor, which targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Additionally, Pakistan’s use of Turkish drones against Indian military installations has further aggravated tensions.
India’s Trade Overview With Turkey and Azerbaijan
India’s trade volume with Turkey and Azerbaijan is relatively modest but significant enough to be impacted by current political tensions.
- Exports to Turkey: USD 5.2 billion (Apr-Feb 2024-25), down from USD 6.65 billion in 2023-24, accounting for roughly 1.5% of India’s total exports.
- Exports to Azerbaijan: USD 86.07 million (Apr-Feb 2024-25), a small fraction of India’s total exports.
- Imports from Turkey: USD 2.84 billion (Apr-Feb 2024-25), including marble, apples, gold, and mineral oil.
- Imports from Azerbaijan: USD 1.93 million, mainly raw hides, chemicals, and essential oils.
Major Products Traded
India exports mineral fuels, electrical machinery, pharmaceuticals, and organic chemicals to Turkey, while importing marble blocks, apples, and mineral oil. Trade with Azerbaijan involves exports of tobacco, tea, cereals, and imports of animal fodder and raw hides.
Impact of Boycotts and Tourism Advisories
Following support for Pakistan by Turkey and Azerbaijan, Indian traders have begun boycotting Turkish products like apples and marble. Major travel platforms such as EaseMyTrip and Ixigo have also issued advisories against visiting Turkey and Azerbaijan, affecting the tourism sector where approximately 3 lakh Indians visit Turkey annually and over 2 lakh visit Azerbaijan.
People-to-People Ties
Despite political tensions, strong people-to-people ties exist with an estimated 3,000 Indians in Turkey and 1,500 in Azerbaijan, including students and professionals.
Conclusion
While India’s trade volume with Turkey and Azerbaijan is relatively small compared to its global trade, the geopolitical rift fueled by Pakistan conflict and drone usage has led to tangible impacts including boycotts and travel advisories. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether these trade and diplomatic ties can be stabilized or will face longer-term setbacks.
For continuous updates on India-Pakistan ceasefire and related developments, visit India-Pakistan Ceasefire Updates.
To learn more about global trade dynamics and their geopolitical impact, visit the World Bank. For detailed insights on the Kashmir conflict, see the Council on Foreign Relations’ Global Conflict Tracker.
Information about peace and security efforts worldwide can be found on the United Nations website.
