Netizens from India call for boycott of Turkey over pro-Pakistan stance

#BoycottTurkey trends in India after Turkey backs Pakistan amid tensions. Public outrage grows, tourism plans drop, fake notices circulate, and calls extend to Turkish goods

Hyderabad: The hashtag #BoycottTurkey is trending across social media in India, as public anger grows over Turkey’s recent show of support for Pakistan amid rising Indo-Pak tensions. The backlash comes shortly after the Indian government launched Operation Sindoor, a military response following the tragic Pahalgam terror attack.

While several nations expressed solidarity with India, Turkey’s pro-Pakistan stance has drawn strong criticism. Many Indians feel deeply hurt, especially since India had provided substantial aid to Turkey in 2023 during the devastating earthquake. As a result, many are now calling Turkey’s support for Pakistan a “betrayal.”

In 2024, around 3.3 lakh Indian tourists visited Turkey, making it a significant source of tourism revenue for the country. However, with the growing boycott trend, there’s concern that these numbers could drop sharply. Many Indians, including politicians, travel influencers, and celebrities, have voiced support for the boycott, further fueling the movement online.

Amid the ongoing tensions, a fake image has also been circulated on social media, claiming to be an official notice from Turkey’s tourism ministry. The notice reassures Indian tourists that visas remain unaffected and that there are no safety issues, but the document is not authentic. Authorities have not issued any such official statement.

Meanwhile, Indian travelers are now promoting alternative destinations like Greece and Armenia as replacements for Turkey. The boycott is no longer limited to tourism—calls are also being made to stop purchasing Turkish goods.

While the trend could have a real impact on Turkey’s tourism-dependent economy, it’s equally important for the public to stay cautious about fake news and misinformation circulating online. Verified information should always guide public discourse.

Here are some posts on X, calling for the boycott of Turkey :

Can we please cancel our bookings for Turkey. This is my request to all Indian Celebs/Influencers/Travellers. This is the least we can do as Indians.#BoycottTurkey

— Rupali Ganguly (@TheRupali) May 13, 2025

Turkey is feeling the heat.

Let’s step up on the #BoycottTurkeyAzerbaijan.
Let no Bharatiy waste their hard earned money on a country that supports Bharat’s enemy Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/Nf42fLDnDg

— Suresh Nakhua 🇮🇳 (@SureshNakhua) May 13, 2025

WAKE UP, INDIA! STOP FUNDING TURKEY THAT SUPPORTS OUR ENEMIES.

In just two years, over 600,000 Indians visited Turkey— spending a shocking ₹48,700+ crore of our hard-earned money there:
•2023: 274,000 Indian tourists spent ₹22,128 crore
•2024: Estimated 330,000 Indian… pic.twitter.com/vugbEGXrKF

— Oxomiya Jiyori 🇮🇳 (@SouleFacts) May 13, 2025