Indian traders have officially decided to end all business relations with Turkey and Azerbaijan. The decision was made during a national trade conference held on May 16 in New Delhi, organized by the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT). More than 125 trade leaders from different parts of India participated and agreed to enforce a full boycott of both countries.
Reason for the Boycott
The boycott comes after Turkey and Azerbaijan expressed open support for Pakistan, while India is dealing with serious national security issues involving Pakistan. Traders view the support from Turkey and Azerbaijan as hostile and against India’s interests.
Praveen Khandelwal, General Secretary of CAIT and BJP Member of Parliament, said that both Turkey and Azerbaijan have received economic and diplomatic support from India in the past, but have now supported Pakistan, which is accused globally of supporting terrorism.
Areas Affected by the Boycott
The decision impacts multiple sectors:
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Import and export businesses involving Turkey and Azerbaijan will be stopped.
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Film production in Turkey and Azerbaijan will be discouraged. Indian movies shot in these countries will face a public and trade boycott.
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Indian companies are advised not to promote or sell products in these countries.
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Tourism and business travel to both countries is discouraged.
CAIT President B.C. Bhartia said the decision is practical and aims to protect India’s economic and national interests. He stated that ungrateful behavior by any country should not be rewarded with trade or cooperation.
Support for Government Action
Traders also supported the Indian government’s recent action to cancel the security clearance of Celebi Ground Handling, a Turkish company that was operating at several Indian airports. CAIT called this a necessary step to protect national security.
Nationwide Awareness Campaign
To ensure the boycott is followed, CAIT will launch a nationwide awareness campaign. This campaign will include:
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Educating traders, consumers, and travel companies about the reasons for the boycott.
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Promoting alternatives to goods from Turkey and Azerbaijan.
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Urging people to avoid visiting these countries.
Trade Data
India’s bilateral trade with Turkey was around $5.2 billion between April 2024 and February 2025. Imports include processed foods, chemicals, and machinery. Trade with Azerbaijan is smaller but still relevant in energy and metals sectors.
The decision by Indian traders marks a clear step to align trade practices with national security concerns. The boycott is intended to send a message that economic cooperation requires mutual respect.
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