Mumbai: Indian retailers, e-commerce platforms, and state leaders are intensifying a boycott of Turkish products amid escalating public anger over Turkey’s overt support for Pakistan during its recent standoff with India.
The backlash gained momentum after Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan publicly expressed solidarity with Pakistan following India’s military retaliation against Islamist militants who attacked Indian Kashmir. The conflict lasted four days, marked by cross-border exchanges before a ceasefire was implemented.
In response, the All India Consumer Products Distributors Federation (AICPDF), which supplies over 13 million small grocery stores across the country, announced an “indefinite and total boycott” of Turkish-origin products. The federation stated the boycott would encompass chocolates, jams, biscuits, wafers, and skincare items.
The impact has extended beyond food products. Indian fashion retail websites owned by Walmart-backed Flipkart and Reliance Industries, headed by billionaire Mukesh Ambani, have pulled several Turkish clothing brands from their platforms. According to industry sources and a review of listings, Flipkart’s fashion arm Myntra has removed products from Turkish brands such as Trendyol, LC Waikiki, and denim label Mavi.
One source with direct knowledge said Myntra removed the brands “in the national interest”, clarifying that Walmart was not involved in the decision. Similarly, Reliance’s AJIO platform delisted Turkish labels including Trendyol, Koton, and LC Waikiki, with many items marked as out of stock. A source attributed the decision to “national sentiments”.
Flipkart, Reliance Retail, and the affected Turkish brands have not issued any official comments.
While New Delhi has not formally directed companies to boycott Turkish goods, the economic impact could still be substantial. India imports $2.7 billion worth of goods from Turkey annually, primarily in mineral fuels and precious metals. However, consumer-facing segments such as food and apparel are now under increasing pressure. AICPDF estimates its boycott alone could affect ₹20 billion (approximately $234 million) worth of food imports. Apparel imports from Turkey totaled $81 million last year, based on data from Trading Economics.
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Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh—India’s key apple-producing state—also joined the call, announcing plans to seek a ban on apple imports from Turkey, which were valued at around $60 million last year.
Further amplifying the protest, Flipkart last week suspended all bookings for flights, hotels, and holiday packages to Turkey, citing support for “India’s national interest and sovereignty.”
Indian tourists are also scrapping travel plans to Turkey, and the government has revoked the security clearance of Turkish aviation ground services firm Celebi.
Additionally, international news agency Reuters reported that Air India is pressuring Indian authorities to block a leasing partnership between rival carrier IndiGo and Turkish Airlines, raising concerns over both business interests and security issues stemming from Ankara’s alignment with Pakistan.
