Can a potential boycott by India significantly hurt Turkey’s economy?

As Turkey increasingly voices support for Pakistan in regional conflicts, India is raising questions. They are concerned about the extent of bilateral trade between New Delhi and Ankara. They are also questioning whether a potential boycott could significantly hurt Turkey’s economy.

Also read: Turkey’s Covert Role in Backing Pakistan During Operation Sindoor Exposed

Tourism: A Key Revenue Stream Under Threat

In 2024, Indian tourists emerged as the second-largest group visiting Turkey. Around 300,000 Indian travelers visited the country, each spending an average of ₹1.2 lakh. This resulted in revenue exceeding ₹4,000 crore for Turkey’s tourism industry.

However, following Ankara’s involvement in tensions involving Pakistan, cancellations of Turkish tour bookings by Indian travelers have sharply increased. If the trend continues, Turkey could face massive revenue losses from this sector alone.

Defense Imports: India Also Buys Weapons from Turkey

Contrary to popular belief, India does import defense equipment from Turkey. In 2024 alone, India purchased around ₹30 crore worth of military hardware and accessories. This includes bombs, grenades, torpedoes, mines, firearm springs, air and gas guns, pistols, revolvers, and other weapon-related items.

What Does India Import from Turkey?

Turkey remains a significant supplier of certain goods to India. Among the top imports are:

• Marble – One of the largest imports from Turkey.
• Fruits – Especially apples in large quantities.
• Other Commodities – Including gold, vegetables, cement, lime, and chemicals.
• Energy – In FY 2023-24, India imported $18.1 million (around ₹155 crore) worth of mineral oils from Turkey.
• Industrial Materials – Such as iron, steel, and precious stones.

India-Turkey Bilateral Trade: A Snapshot

Between April 2024 and February 2025, India exported goods worth $5.2 billion (approximately ₹45,000 crore) to Turkey. In the previous fiscal year, this figure stood at $6.65 billion. However, this accounts for just 1.5% of India’s total exports.

During the same period, India imported goods worth $2.84 billion (around ₹24,400 crore) from Turkey — representing only 0.5% of India’s total imports.

What Would a Boycott Mean for Turkey?

Amid growing tensions and Turkey’s alignment with Pakistan, calls for a boycott have intensified. While India’s overall trade with Turkey is relatively limited, the tourism sector could take the hardest hit. If Indian travelers stop visiting, Turkey could lose thousands of crores in tourism revenue.

In this context, India holds considerable economic leverage — particularly in tourism — should bilateral tensions continue to escalate.

For all latest updates visit theviralmail and follow X, Facebook, and Instagram