India is experiencing a moment eerily similar to what unfolded in early January 2024—a geopolitical fallout dramatically impacting its tourism landscape. The target this time? Turkey.

A Flashback to the Maldives Incident

In January 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Lakshadweep turned the spotlight on the serene archipelago. But what followed was a diplomatic and social media storm. Several Maldivian leaders reacted with racial slurs against Indians, leading to widespread calls in India for a Maldives boycott.

This backlash hit Maldives hard, especially considering that India was a top contributor to Maldivian tourism—with over 2.91 lakh Indian visitors in 2021 and 2.41 lakh in 2022, even amid COVID-19 restrictions. Booking platforms like EaseMyTrip de-platformed Maldives, while online sentiment was firmly against any travel to the island nation.

Eventually, Maldives needed high-level diplomacy to stabilise relations, but not before its economy suffered major blows.

Turkey’s Turn in the Spotlight

Now, Turkey faces a similar wave of outrage, primarily because of its recent support for Pakistan—including arms and ammunition supplies. This decision has irked many Indians, especially since India had extended humanitarian aid to Turkey after a devastating earthquake not long ago.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s government is now under scrutiny, much like President Mohamed Muizzu of Maldives earlier. India perceives Turkey’s stance as a betrayal, especially in light of its friendly gestures.

Political Reactions and Social Media Campaigns

The situation has gone beyond diplomatic circles. Indian social media is ablaze with the hashtag “Boycott Turkey”, and it's gaining serious traction. Even political leaders across party lines are voicing strong objections.

• Former Union Minister Rajeev Shukla urged Indians to "immediately stop destination weddings in Turkey."

• Shiv Sena (Uddhav) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi went a step further, calling vacationing in Turkey "blood money."

The sentiment is unmistakable—Indians don’t want to be associated with a nation supporting Pakistan, especially given the sensitive political undertones.

Tourism Sector Feels the Heat

India is one of Turkey's emerging markets for tourism. In 2023, nearly 2.75 lakh Indian tourists visited Turkey, and the number had already risen by over 20% in 2024, touching 3.25 lakh visitors.

However, that growth story might just end abruptly. Platforms such as EaseMyTrip and Ixigo have suspended all Turkey-related bookings, joining the sentiment of the Indian public.

Travel agencies report a massive spike in cancellations, particularly for weddings, family vacations, and honeymoon trips planned for Turkish cities like Istanbul, Antalya, and Cappadocia.

Impact on Turkish Produce in Indian Markets

The anger isn't just limited to tourism. Indian consumers are now boycotting Turkish goods, especially agricultural produce.

A key example is Turkish apples, which held 6–8% share in India’s imported apple market, with around 1.6 lakh tonnes imported this fiscal year.

But now, these apples have vanished from shelves across Indian fruit markets. A wholesaler noted:

“We used to sell 1,000 boxes weekly to retailers. But demand dropped sharply. Retailers say customers are refusing to buy Turkish apples.”

Instead, Indian retailers have turned to Iranian, Washington (USA), and New Zealand apples. This redirection in trade is a clear consequence of public sentiment.

Even the Apple Growers’ Association of India has demanded an official ban on Turkish apples, citing both economic and nationalistic reasons.

Trade Relations at Risk

The ripple effects are now visible in broader India-Turkey trade dynamics. Sources from the Finance Ministry have stated that while India had earlier planned to boost trade with Turkey up to $20 billion, this plan is now under review.

India imports key goods from Turkey, such as pulses, oilseeds, and steel, but the dependency is not critical, as per government sources. They believe Turkey needs India more than the other way around.

A senior official from the ministry commented:

“Turkey has blood on its hands. It is up to Indians to decide if they want to travel there. No official advisory has been issued yet, but travel bookings have already seen a decline.”

Wider Implications: A New Pattern?

This isn’t the first time Indian consumers have influenced international politics through economic choices. From Chinese apps to Maldivian tourism, now Turkey joins the list of nations facing the heat of Indian sentiment.

The incident is another case where India’s rising geopolitical clout is reflected through people-powered responses. Whether it’s a social media campaign, purchase boycott, or tourism shutdown, Indian citizens are becoming active participants in diplomatic discourse.

Will Turkey Respond?

As of now, there’s no official apology or change in stance from Ankara. But if past events are any indication, such economic backlash could force a rethink.

Meanwhile, with the Middle East and Central Asian countries becoming new hotbeds for wedding destinations and vacations, Turkey may find itself isolated in the Indian market for a long time.

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