CityweliveFruit merchants in Prayagraj have collectively resolved to cease dealing in Turkish apples in response to Turkey’s overt backing of Pakistan during the recent military confrontation with India.
The exact volume of apple imports from Turkey to India remains unclear at this time.
Likewise, vendors across several Indian cities have jointly opted to reject Turkish commodities, including apples, other fruits, and goods such as marble.
Saurabh, an apple seller from Prayagraj, told ANI, “…Following the escalation, we have discontinued selling apples sourced from Turkey. Customers who previously purchased these apples are now requesting alternatives from other nations. There is no demand for Turkish apples anymore, and we are no longer stocking them.”
Another fruit dealer from Prayagraj, Vinod, stated, “Earlier, three to four fruit varieties were brought in from Turkey. Now, both sellers and buyers have entirely rejected them. If customers learn that a fruit originates from Turkey, they refuse to purchase it. The primary reason is Turkey’s alignment with Pakistan during the standoff. We had always stood by Turkey, but they turned against us.”
Previously, apple cultivators from Himachal Pradesh had also called for a ban on Turkish apple imports, appealing to the central government to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent. Himachal is one of India’s major apple-producing regions.
In a firm countermeasure against Turkey and Azerbaijan’s unequivocal support for Pakistan, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) recently declared a full commercial disengagement with both countries.
Both Turkey and Azerbaijan have thrown their weight behind Pakistan, despite its backing of cross-border militancy against India and its hostility following the Indian military’s targeted strikes on nine terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror assault.
Azerbaijan has mirrored Pakistan’s stance in its comments on the India-Pakistan dispute. Turkey not only expressed support for Islamabad but also endorsed Pakistan’s call for an international inquiry into the Pahalgam incident. Moreover, Turkey has supplied defense equipment to Pakistan.
Marble business owners in Udaipur—Rajasthan’s renowned marble center—have appealed to the central government to prohibit Turkish marble imports, citing that drones from Turkey were allegedly employed by Pakistani forces during the conflict.
Travel agencies have also advised citizens to avoid non-essential visits to Turkey and Azerbaijan.
Meanwhile, universities such as Jamia Millia Islamia and Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) have suspended all Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Turkish academic institutions in light of widespread appeals to sever educational ties with Turkey over its outspoken support for Pakistan during the confrontation.
In addition, the central government has withdrawn the security clearance of Turkish ground-handling firm Celebi NAS Airport Services, citing issues of national security.
