India’s trade relations with Turkey and Azerbaijan are witnessing diplomatic tension due to their overt support for Pakistan following India’s recent anti-terror operations. Despite public calls for boycotts, trade continues with a surplus favoring India.
India’s trade ties with Turkey and Azerbaijan are expected to face diplomatic headwinds as both nations publicly backed Pakistan and criticized India’s military strikes on terror infrastructure. These operations, carried out under the code name Operation Sindoor, were in response to Pakistani offensives, and have now drawn strong reactions from Ankara and Baku.
The backlash has sparked nationwide calls in India for boycotting Turkish products and tourism, including advisories issued by Indian online travel agencies such as EaseMyTrip and Ixigo, urging citizens to avoid travel to Turkey and Azerbaijan. Despite the rising tensions, trade relations continue, and India maintains a trade surplus with both nations.
As per recent data, India’s exports to Turkey and Azerbaijan include machinery, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and automobiles, while imports consist of minerals, oil products, and chemicals. The strain, however, could affect bilateral trade volumes and future agreements.
The diplomatic unease intensified after Turkey’s drones were reportedly used by Pakistan in failed attempts to target Indian military infrastructure during the recent conflict. Moreover, both Turkey and Azerbaijan’s statements condemning India’s defense strikes have further added fuel to the tensions.
India and Pakistan recently reached an understanding on May 10, 2025, to cease all military actions across land, sea, and air borders by 5 PM that evening. However, the aftermath of international alignments during the conflict continues to affect India’s regional and global trade dynamics.
While India’s Ministry of External Affairs has yet to comment officially on any trade restrictions, analysts warn that geopolitical loyalties could influence upcoming policy decisions and people-to-people ties, especially in tourism and cross-border investments.
As the situation unfolds, India’s economic strategy with nations aligned to its adversaries is expected to become increasingly cautious and calculated.
