India’s trade relations with Turkey and Azerbaijan are expected to come under strain due to Ankara and Baku backing Islamabad and condemning India’s recent strikes on terror camps in Pakistan.
IMAGE: A visitor examines the lamps displayed by exhibitors from Turkey at a trade expo in Amritsar. Photograph: ANI Photo
Following their support to Pakistan, calls for boycotting Turkish goods and tourism have surfaced across the country, with online travel platforms such as EaseMyTrip and Ixigo issuing advisories against visiting these nations.
In fact, Indian traders too have started boycotting Turkish products such as apples and marble.
India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 to destroy nine terror infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir in retaliation for the Kashmir’s Pahalgam terror attack on April 22.
All subsequent retaliations for Pakistani offensives were carried out under ‘Operation Sindoor’.
India and Pakistan on Saturday last announced reaching an understanding to stop all firings and military actions on land, air and sea, with effect from 5 pm that day.
During the conflict, Pakistan used Turkish drones in its failed attempt to target Indian military installations.
Here are a few questions and answers (Q&A) explaining the impact of these developments on India’s trade ties with Turkey and Azerbaijan.
Why India’s ties with Turkey and Azerbaijan may come under strain?
The two countries have criticised India’s strike on terror infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir.
Islamabad has also used Turkish drones in the conflict.
What kind of trade does India have with Turkey and Azerbaijan?
India’s exports to Turkey stood at $5.2 billion during Apr-Feb 2024-25 as against $6.65 billion in 2023-24.
It accounts for only about 1.5 per cent of India’s total exports of $437 billion.
India’s exports to Azerbaijan stood at only $86.07 million during Apr-Feb 2024-25 as against $89.67 million in 2023-24.
It accounts for a meagre 0.02 per cent of India’s total outbound shipments.
India’s imports from Turkey was $2.84 billion during Apr-Feb 2024-25 as against $3.78 billion in 2023-24.
It accounts for only about 0.5 per cent of India’s total imports of $720 billion.
Imports from Azerbaijan were $1.93 million during Apr-Feb 2024-25 as against $0.74 million in 2023-24.
It accounts for a meagre 0.0002 per cent of India’s total inbound shipments.
India has a trade surplus with both nations.
What are the major products traded between these countries?
India’s exports to Turkey include: mineral fuels and oil ($960 million in 2023-24); electrical machinery and equipment; auto and its parts; organic chemicals; pharma products; tanning and dyeing items; plastic, rubber; cotton; man-made fibres and filaments, iron and steel.
Imports: Different types of marbles (blocks and slabs); fresh apples (about $10 million), gold, vegetables, lime and cement; mineral oil ($1.81 billion in 2023-24); chemicals; natural or cultured pearls; iron and steel.
A bilateral trade agreement was signed in 1973, followed by a pact on setting up an India, Turkiye Joint Commission on Economic and Technical Cooperation in 1983.
India’s exports to Azerbaijan: tobacco and its products ($28.67 million in 2023-24); tea, coffee; cereals; chemicals; plastic; rubber; paper and paper board; and ceramic products.
Imports include: Animal fodder; organic chemicals; essential oils and perfumery; and raw hides and skins and leather ($1.52 million during Apr-Feb 2024-25).
In 2023, India was the third-largest destination for Azerbaijan’s crude oil.
What kind of people-to-people ties exist between India and these two nations?
There are currently around 3,000 estimated Indian nationals in Turkey, including 200 students.
Similarly, the Indian community in Azerbaijan comprises more than 1,500 people.
How many Indian tourists visit Turkey and Azerbaijan?
As per estimates, about 3 lakh Indian tourists visited Turkey in 2023 and over 2 lakh to Azerbaijan.
