New Delhi – In the wake of the recent India-Pakistan conflict triggered by the Pahalgam terror attack and India’s military response under Operation Sindoor, anger is mounting across India against Turkey for its open support to Pakistan. The reaction has sparked a nationwide boycott of Turkish fruit imports, particularly apples.
Traders and Advocates Take a Stand
In various parts of India, including Ghaziabad and Bhadrak, fruit traders and legal professionals have openly called for a ban on Turkish goods, accusing Ankara of siding with Pakistan and indirectly supporting terrorism.
Vikas Mandal, a fruit trader, made his stance clear:
“We will neither import fruits from Turkey nor sell them, as they are helping our enemy Pakistan.”
Echoing the sentiment, an advocate in Bhadrak declared:
“Turkey is acting in favour of terrorists by supplying war equipment to Pakistan. We should boycott not only Pakistani but also Turkish goods.”
Shadab Khan, another fruit vendor in Ghaziabad, said the traders had unanimously decided to cut all trade ties with Turkey, vowing never to import Turkish products again.
Farmers Demand Action from Centre
Farmer organisations across Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Uttarakhand have raised serious concerns, not only over Turkey’s geopolitical stance but also the economic impact of cheap Turkish apples flooding Indian markets.
In a joint letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Himalayan Apple Growers Society, Himachal Pradesh Sanyukt Kisan Manch, and other bodies have demanded a complete ban on apple imports from Turkey and the enforcement of strict duties and quality standards on all imported fruits.
The letter reads:
“Under your leadership, ‘Vocal for Local’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ have inspired self-reliance. But unchecked apple imports, especially from Turkey, are pushing mountain farmers into economic distress.”
Nationalistic Sentiment Fuels Economic Response
The boycott movement is being positioned as a patriotic response in support of India’s armed forces and domestic economy. Farmers and traders alike argue that countries showing solidarity with adversaries should face economic consequences in Indian markets.
The backlash against Turkish imports also coincides with growing resentment over subsidised foreign produce, which has been undermining local apple growers for years. Many believe this moment offers the government a crucial opportunity to protect domestic producers while sending a firm message on international alignments.
As diplomatic tensions give way to economic ripples, the message from the Indian business and farming community is clear: support for terrorism and aggression will come at a cost—both diplomatically and economically. The coming weeks will reveal whether the Centre heeds these calls and takes decisive action against Turkish imports.