Why Indian Travelers & Traders Are Taking a Stand
Over 5 lakh Indians visited Turkey and Azerbaijan last year. EaseMyTrip’s Nishant Pitti questions: Should we boost the tourism of countries that stand against India?
Image Source- InternetMany Indian travelers and businesses are now avoiding Turkey and Azerbaijan. The reason? Both countries supported Pakistan after a recent conflict with India, sparking strong public and industry reactions.
Image Source- Internet
Travel Platforms Take a Stand
Popular travel websites like Ixigo and EaseMyTrip have paused bookings for flights and hotels in Turkey, Azerbaijan, and even China. These companies say the decision is to show support for India during a difficult time.
EaseMyTrip’s co-founder Nishant Pitti recently raised concerns about Indian tourist spending in countries like Turkey and Azerbaijan, pointing out that nearly 3 lakh Indians visited each in the past year. He questioned why Indian travelers should contribute to the economies of nations that have shown political alignment against India.
Image Source- Internet
Tourism Leaders Speak Up
Subhash Goyal, who leads the Tourism Committee of the Indian Chamber of Commerce, said that travel choices should respect the country’s values. He added that many tourism groups are now in favour of responsible travel, which involves not visiting countries that act against India's interests. He mentioned that many tourism groups now support responsible travel, which means avoiding trips to countries that do not stand with India.
“Tourism should promote peace, not hurt our nation’s dignity,” Goyal said.
Why the Boycott?
Tensions grew between India and Pakistan after a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which killed 26 people. In response, India launched Operation Sindoor, a military action targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
After India’s strike, Turkey and Azerbaijan released statements criticizing India and supporting Pakistan. Turkey called India’s action “unprovoked aggression,” and Azerbaijan offered condolences to Pakistan and urged diplomacy.
This public support for Pakistan upset many Indians. As a result, tourists canceled plans, and companies stopped offering trips to these countries.
Image Source- Internet
Growing Impact on Tourism
Booking platforms report a major drop in reservations. “Thousands of Indian travellers have dropped or changed their plans to visit Istanbul and Baku, two popular holiday destinations.” Even other agencies like Cox & Kings are no longer promoting trips to these countries.
Economic Effects
Last year, Indians spent around $350–400 million while visiting Turkey. Each tourist, on average, spent between $1,200 and $1,500. India also has strong trade links with both countries. Between April 2024 and February 2025:
- India exported $5.2 billion worth of goods to Turkey.
- India imported $2.84 billion from Turkey.
- With Azerbaijan, India exported goods worth $86.07 million and imported $1.93 million.
The value of India's exports to both Turkey and Azerbaijan is higher than its imports, giving India a trade advantage.
Indian Community Abroad
There are around 3,000 Indians living in Turkey, including 200 students. Azerbaijan has about 1,500 Indian residents. Reports also say that Pakistan has used Turkish-made drones in recent attacks. India’s air defense, however, successfully blocked them.
Political and Public Reaction
The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has called for a national meeting on May 16 in New Delhi. They will discuss stopping all imports and exports to Turkey and Azerbaijan. CAIT’s leaders said Indian traders should show unity and stop doing business with countries that support terrorism. “Trade is two-sided. If we stop it, they’ll feel the loss more,” they added.
India exports goods like steel, textiles, vehicles, and medicines to Turkey, while it imports petroleum, fruits, gold, and other items. With Azerbaijan, India exports tobacco, electronics, and grains, and imports chemicals, oils, and aluminum.
Image Source- Internet
Celebrities Join In
Some Indian actors like Rupali Ganguly and businessman Harsh Goenka have asked fellow citizens to cancel trips to Turkey and Azerbaijan. Actor Kushal Tandon revealed that his mother decided to cancel her planned trip to Turkey as a mark of protest. However, no actor has been officially banned from visiting these countries. The movement is about people choosing to avoid them, not official restrictions.
Final Thoughts
This situation shows how deeply national interests can influence travel and trade. Many Indians are now rethinking where they travel and whom they trade with. As tensions continue, the boycott may grow stronger, sending a message that national unity matters more than business or vacations.
