In this News blog you are going to learn more about India – Turkey Cultural & Trade relations , and how certain trade related situations have worsened between 2 countries after Pahalgam Terror attacks.
Pahalgam Terror Attacks: Shifting Geopolitical Scenario in Asia and West Asia
The recent terror attacks in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, have not only reignited security concerns within India but also triggered ripples across the diplomatic and trade landscape of Asia and West Asia. The fallout from these attacks is particularly visible in the deterioration of India-Turkey relations, highlighting growing polarization and shifting alliances in the region.
Pahalgam Attack and Operation Sindoor
On April 22, 2025, a deadly terrorist attack occurred in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 people—including 25 tourists from various Indian states—were killed. The attack was carried out by a militant group linked to Pakistan-backed entities. In response, India launched Operation Sindoor, a series of targeted strikes against terrorist camps across Pakistan-administered Kashmir and Punjab. These actions intensified tensions not only between India and Pakistan but also affected India’s relations with countries perceived to support Pakistan during the conflict.
Worsening India-Turkey Trade Relations
Following Turkey’s vocal support for Pakistan during the conflict, India-Turkey diplomatic ties suffered a setback, leading to a notable decline in bilateral trade and cooperation.
Key sectors affected:
- Marble Industry: Udaipur, a major marble processing center in India, suspended imports of Turkish marble valued at around ₹3,000 crore. This halt has disrupted numerous processing units that heavily rely on Turkish marble supplies.
- Tourism: Indian travel agencies have witnessed a significant drop in bookings for Turkey, with some companies reporting a 60% decline and a surge in cancellations. Many tourists are now choosing alternative destinations like Georgia and Vietnam.
Economic impact and public response:
The suspension of marble imports alone is expected to cause losses worth thousands of crores for Indian businesses. Public sentiment in India has strongly supported a boycott of Turkish products and tourism, encouraged by groups like the Swadeshi Jagran Manch. This boycott is reminiscent of earlier public-led economic responses against countries seen as adversarial, such as during the Uri attack aftermath or boycotts against Maldives in recent years.
The overall situation reflects how geopolitical conflicts can quickly spill over into economic relations, influencing trade, tourism, and people-to-people ties between nations.
Extra Reference :
India’s Long Fight Against Terrorism and the Changing Shape of Global Friendships
🇮🇳 India’s Loneliness in the Fight Against Terrorism
- India has faced terrorism for decades without consistent international backing.
- Despite over 50 Islamic nations globally, very few have explicitly supported India against Pakistan-backed terrorism.
- Indian public sentiment reflects disappointment in the silence or indirect support from many Islamic countries during critical times.
- India has always maintained a non-violent and democratic stance, yet stood firm against terror threats alone.
- Kashmir-related issues often become the reason many Gulf nations avoid openly supporting India.
🤝 Historic Allies: Russia and the USA
- Russia has remained India’s most trusted and time-tested friend across decades—diplomatically, militarily, and strategically.
- After the 9/11 attacks, the USA openly aligned with India on counterterrorism and strategic issues.
- Indo-US ties have grown strong in defense, intelligence sharing, and technology due to common concerns over terrorism and China.
- While other countries stayed neutral or silent, these two have actively collaborated with India on global and regional security.
🛢️ Oil Diplomacy and Indo-Gulf Tensions
- Iran has been a major oil supplier to India, yet regional diplomacy has always been delicately balanced.
- India’s Indo-Pak conflict often creates roadblocks in stable relations with Gulf nations.
- Countries like Qatar, UAE, and Saudi Arabia sometimes walk a tightrope between India and Pakistan.
- India’s dependency on Gulf oil made it vulnerable, but that’s rapidly changing.
☀️ Solar Independence: A Strategic Game-Changer
- India is reducing oil dependency through massive solar energy investments, decreasing its reliance on Gulf nations.
- This transition gives India more geopolitical freedom and bargaining power.
- Solar independence is not just environmental—it is a strategic economic and diplomatic win.
🇹🇷 Turkey’s Double Role: Business Ally or Political Opponent?
- Turkey has shown business interest in India—marble trade, construction goods, tourism.
- Yet diplomatically, it often supports Pakistan, including during Operation Sindoor after the Pahalgam terror attack.
- Many Indians see Turkey’s support for Pakistan as political posturing, not real enmity.
- India responded by:
- Halting ₹3,000 crore worth of marble imports from Turkey.
- A sharp drop in Indian tourism to Turkey.
- Growing calls for a Turkish goods boycott, similar to those against China and Maldives.
🇮🇳 India’s Economic Boycotts Turning Into Strength
- The China app ban, Maldives tourism boycott, and now Turkish goods avoidance show India’s economic nationalism.
- Estimated $10 billion+ worth of trade is being rechanneled back into Indian markets.
- This boosts:
- Self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat)
- Local industry
- Economic security
- India’s strategy is clear: “Don’t respond with war, respond with markets.”
🧭 Future Possibilities: Can Turkey and India Rebuild?
- No direct historical conflict exists between Turkey and India like with Pakistan.
- Turkey has:
- European roots
- Greater business and social freedoms
- Cultural ties with India
- India and Turkey can collaborate in:
- Construction
- Energy
- Technology
- Tourism
- But Turkey must balance its diplomacy better and avoid taking sides in Indo-Pak issues if it wants deeper ties.
Final Thoughts: Real Friends in a Complex World
- India’s true allies today are Russia and the United States—trustworthy, cooperative, and aligned on security goals.
- Gulf countries and Turkey will need to navigate carefully if they wish to grow their relations with India.
- Until terrorism and Pakistan-related diplomacy are managed wisely, India will prioritize real, dependable partnerships over emotion-based friendships.
- As India grows in power and independence, the world will have to choose carefully how it engages with it—on principles, not politics.
🌟 India’s Resilience and Bright Future
All in all, India has battled terrorism for over 50 years, standing tall through some of the most brutal attacks—from Mumbai to Pulwama to Pahalgam. Despite diplomatic isolation at times, India’s internal strength—driven by its economy, people, and democratic values—has grown remarkably. We are no longer the India of the past. With smart economic decisions, rising self-reliance, and increasing global influence, India is becoming an incomparable economic powerhouse.
The nation has not just survived but transformed, and that transformation promises a brighter, more secure future. With solid global allies like the USA, Japan, and Russia, the next generation of Indians can look forward to a country that is economically stronger, diplomatically respected, and politically more stable and confident.