Ankara's Pro-Pakistan Stance Triggers New Delhi's Ire, Academic Ties Cut
Diplomatic friction between India and Turkey has intensified following Ankara's consistent support for Pakistan on the Kashmir issue, a stance New Delhi views as direct interference in its internal affairs. Recent developments, notably the Indian government's decision to revoke the security clearance of a prominent Turkish-linked firm, Celebi Airport Services, as reported by the Indian media, and the severing of academic ties by a national university, underscore India's growing impatience.
The Indian Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has reportedly revoked the essential security clearance for Celebi Airport Services, a major player in ground handling operations at several key Indian airports. According to the India Today report, this decision is directly linked to what Indian officials perceive as Turkey's "consistent anti-India stance," particularly President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's repeated references to the Kashmir situation at international forums, often echoing Pakistan's narrative.
In a further sign of deteriorating relations, Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) announced the immediate cancellation of its academic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Turkey's Yunus Emre Institute. This move to cut cultural and educational links signals that the displeasure extends beyond purely strategic or economic domains, indicating a broader reassessment of bilateral engagements.
Under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Ankara has increasingly positioned itself as a vocal supporter of Pakistan's claims on Kashmir, reportedly standing with Pakistan during recent tensions. Erdoğan has frequently raised the issue at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) meetings. These statements have been met with sharp rebuttals from New Delhi, which maintains that Jammu and Kashmir are integral and inalienable parts of India.