In the face of increasing tensions between the two neighboring nations, several Indians have shunned Turkish Airlines. Turkey openly expressed its support for Pakistan when the Indian Armed Forces launched a series of missile attacks on terror camps in Pakistan and PoK under Operation Sindoor on May 7. The attacks on Pakistan followed the ghastly Pahalgam terrorist attack, which left 26 innocent tourists dead. Now, boycott calls against Turkish-associated businesses are making the rounds on social media. This follows a wider social media campaign calling for Indian platforms to delist Turkish and Azerbaijani travel options in retaliation for their governments' vocal backing of Pakistan.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is said to have held a telephone conversation with PM Shehbaz Sharif, complimenting Pakistan's "calm and restrained policies" and providing diplomatic assistance to ease the tension.
A very viral post on X stated, "A Call To Every Proud Indian. Our national pride and safety come first. Each rupee given to Turkish Airlines or visiting Turkey strengthens those who oppose our country's interests.
It came to a boiling point last week on Indian social media after media reports emerged of six Turkish C-130 Hercules transport planes bearing military cargo that had landed at Pakistan on Sunday. Many of the experts and commentators responded testily to the news, insisting on a pan-Indian boycott of Turkish air travel and tourism.
Pawan Durani, a social media user, posted, "How many of you remember 'Operation Dost', where within an hour of the earthquake in Turkey, India was the first nation to send relief teams. Snakes." His comment expressed mounting frustration at what many saw as Turkey's betrayal following India's quick humanitarian aid during Turkey's 2023 earthquake disaster.