&w=3840&q=100)
From apples to marbles & jewellery, Indian traders call for full boycott of Turkey, Azerbaijan over pro-Pakistan stance
In a decisive move reflecting growing national sentiment, Indian traders announced on Friday a complete boycott of Türkiye and Azerbaijan, citing the two countries' support for Pakistan during the recent military conflict with India. read more
The growing social media movement to ' Boycott Turkey ' is having a tangible impact on Indian businesses with a surge in travel cancellations and backlash against Turkish imports such as apples, jewellery and marble. The campaign stems from Ankara's vocal support for Pakistan and its criticism of India's recent cross-border military strikes under 'Operation Sindoor'.
Tensions escalated after it emerged that Pakistan had deployed Turkish drones extensively during its military confrontation with India. In a strong response, over 125 leading Indian trade representatives have pledged to sever all commercial ties with Turkey and Azerbaijan including suspending travel and tourism activities.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
The trade also appealed Indian film industry not to undertake shooting of any film in Turkey & Azerbaijan and if any shooting is done, the business community and the people will boycott such a film. The resolution also warns corporate houses not to shoot any product promotion film in Turkey & Azerbaijan. The decision was taken at a National Conference of Trade Leaders convened by the *Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) in New Delhi, where representatives from 24 states participated.
CAIT Secretary General and Member of Parliament Praveen Khandelwal said 'It is deeply unfortunate that Turkey and Azerbaijan, who have benefited from India's goodwill, aid and strategic support in times of distress, have now chosen to side with Pakistan — a country known globally for its support to terrorism. Their position not only hurts India's sovereignty and national interest but also directly insults the sentiments of 140 crore Indians.'
The conference noted that Turkey's repeated anti-India rhetoric at international platforms and its continued support for Pakistan's narrative are unacceptable, whereas Azerbaijan's alignment with Turkey and public endorsements of Pakistan's stand reflect a disturbing disregard for India's long-standing friendship and assistance.
CAIT National President B C Bhartia said the traders' community expressed strong resentment and disappointment against both countries, calling their actions 'ungrateful and hostile.' *It was unanimously agreed that such nations do not deserve any economic cooperation or trade advantage from India.
The trade leaders acclaimed the decision of the Government for revoking security clearance for Celebi Ground Handling India Private Limited ', a Turkish company, in the interest of national security, which is handling services at nine major airports of India.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Among the key decisions taken at the meeting was a move to cease all trade with Turkey and Azerbaijan. Traders across India will stop importing goods from these two countries and halt the export of Indian products to them. Indian exporters, importers\ and business delegations will also be discouraged from pursuing any new trade agreements or establishing business ties with Turkish and Azerbaijani entities.
Travel agencies and event planners will be urged not to promote either country as a destination for tourism or business. In addition, a memorandum will be submitted to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Ministry of External Affairs, calling for a policy-level review of all existing commercial relations with Turkey and Azerbaijan.
On Indian traders and businessmen boycotting Turkish apples after Turkey supports Pakistan amid tensions, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said, 'This is good. If any country gets involved in any way against India, the people of India will boycott it in every possible way. I truly commend all these traders; this is their real patriotism. India stands united.'
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
VIDEO | On Indian traders and businessmen boycotting Turkish apples after Turkey's support for Pakistan amid tensions, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta (@gupta_rekha) says, "This is good. If any country gets involved in any way against India, the people of India will boycott it… pic.twitter.com/qvjp2gp4Um — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 16, 2025
Meanwhile, jewellers in Lucknow have decided to boycott the purchase, sale, and display of Turkish-design jewellery and other jewellery items imported from Turkiye. From topping the sales chart on Akshay Tritiya to eventually facing a complete boycott from jewellers, Turkish jewellery items will now have no more takers, jewellers believe.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
'On the Akshay Tritiya, which was celebrated recently, the maximum demand was for Turkish jewellery. Now, after Turkey's active support to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, we have decided not to import any more Turkish jewellery items. A decision in this regard was taken on Wednesday,' Aadish Jain, vice-president of Chowk Sarafa Association, Lucknow told PTI.
Turkish apples are off the shelves in Alwar's fruit markets as traders in Rajasthan joined the chorus to boycott products from Turkey after it backed Pakistan during India's military strikes on terror camps in the neighbouring country. Earlier, marble traders in Ajmer had refused to import stones from Turkey.
The Fruit Mandi Union in Alwar has declared a complete halt on the sale of apples imported from Turkey. Traders said the decision reflects public sentiment and is aimed at hurting Turkey's economic interests.
'More than 15 tonnes of Turkish apples arrive in Rajasthan every day between March and June,' said Saurabh Kalra, General Secretary of the Fruit Mandi Union.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
He said 'Due to Turkey's stand against India, we've decided to stop selling them. This is not just a market decision, it's a message. 'Posters calling for a 'Boycott of Turkish apples' will be put up in shops starting Friday. An awareness drive will also be launched to ensure no Turkish apples are sold in the market. 'If any trader is found selling them, it will be treated as an act against national interest,' Kalra added.
Pakistan also used Turkish drones on a large scale during the conflict. While India's trade ties with both countries have already come under scrutiny, multiple educational institutions, including Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), have either suspended their collaboration with Turkish universities or are considering it.
With inputs from agencies
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Today
30 minutes ago
- India Today
Zohran Mamdani turns New York City mayoral race into Bollywood blockbuster
When Zohran Kwame Mamdani announced his candidacy for New York City mayor last October, he was seen as a long shot. But an affordability-centred messaging and social media-driven campaign sprinkled with Bollywood tadka has propelled the 33-year-old assemblyman to the forefront of the Democratic primary to Ugandan academic Mahmood Mamdani and acclaimed Indian-American filmmaker Mira Nair, Zohran Mamdani has leaned into his South Asian heritage and captured the attention of younger, immigrant, and working-class New Yorkers with his populist platform and savvy use of Hindi film week, Mamdani dropped a campaign video on X peppered with classic Bollywood film scenes and music. Speaking in Hindi, he explains the voting process, makes the case for affordability, and takes aim at his main rival: former New York governor Andrew Cuomo, who is backed by US President Donald Trump. A democratic socialist, Mamdani framed the race as a choice between a people-powered movement and billionaire-backed 2-minute, 23-second video features the iconic scene from Deewar, where Amitabh Bachchan's character Vijay boasts, "Aaj mere paas buildingein hain, property hai, bangla hai, bank balance hai, gaadi hai. Tumhare paas kya hai? (Today I have buildings, property, a bungalow, a bank balance, and a car. What do you have?)."A beat later, Mamdani appears on screen, arms spread in Shah Rukh Khan's signature pose, responding simply: "Aap" (I have the people).Billionaires ke paas already sab kuchh hai. Ab, aapka time already have everything. Now, your time has come. Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@ZohranKMamdani) June 4, 2025advertisementThe message is clear: Mamdani is positioning himself as the candidate of the people, against Cuomo, whom he portrays as emblematic of elite privilege and establishment explain New York's ranked choice voting system, Mamdani borrows Kishore Kumar's voice from Karz and uses glasses of lassi as props: "Hey, have you ever voted for anyone? Have you ever ranked anyone?"This is not your typical New York City mayoral has fused desi pop culture with policy to communicate a progressive vision: free city buses, controlling apartment rents, city-run grocery stores, and a $10 billion tax hike on the ultra-wealthy to pay for it all.'We can guarantee cheaper groceries, we can raise the minimum wage, we can freeze the rent for more than 2 million tenants, and build more than 200,000 affordable homes. We are done settling for less,' he declares in another ad—rooted in the spirit of Roti, Kapda aur Makaan, the 1974 Bachchan-starrer that named the three most basic human ad starts airing are done settling for less. Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@ZohranKMamdani) June 11, 2025With a short-lived career as a hip-hop artist, Mamdani now calls himself the Kendrick Lamar of affordability—intent on sticking to a message that speaks to working-class ke paas already sab kuchh hai. Ab, aapka time aageya (Billionaires already have everything. Now, your time has come)," he says in his video, a callback to the rap anthem from Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt-starrer Gully Mamdani's rise has not come without controversy. His vocal criticism of Israel and advocacy for Palestinian rights have earned him a fair share of has also been branded anti-Hindu for calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi a "war criminal" with reference to the latter's alleged role in the 2002 Gujarat riots. PM Modi was given a clean chit by a Supreme Court-appointed probe."Narendra Modi helped to orchestrate what was a mass slaughter of Muslims in Gujarat to the extent that [people] don't even believe there are Gujarat Muslims anymore," Mamdani recently said at a forum. "This is someone we should view in the same manner we do Benjamin Netanyahu. This is a war criminal."His Muslim heritage has also drawn vitriol, but Mamdani has turned the attacks into campaign fodder."When you're the first Muslim elected official to run for mayor, people say some pretty wild things," he quipped in a New York City—America's largest metropolis—grappling with a cost-of-living crisis, housing shortages, transit issues, and deep inequality, the next mayor faces enormous challenges. Mamdani, powered by Bollywood swagger and socialist fire, has cast himself as the underdog hero standing up for the little guy.
India Today
30 minutes ago
- India Today
Can India's middle class invest where Dubai's billionaires buy homes?
For a long time, Dubai looked like a rich person's dream, shiny buildings, luxury cars, no income tax, and homes that looked like something out of a felt like a place only for billionaires, Bollywood stars, and big business families. But things are changing now as more and more salaried Indians are asking the same question: Can I also buy a home in Dubai?advertisementRitu Kant Ojha, CEO of Proact Luxury Real Estate, said that the interest from Indian buyers has expanded beyond just high-net-worth individuals.'We're witnessing a strong inclination among Indian buyers for a diverse range of properties in Dubai. Apartments remain highly sought after, particularly those in well-connected areas with solid infrastructure,' he said. Demand is also rising for villas and townhouses in gated communities, especially among families looking for space and lifestyle COST: NOT CHEAP, BUT POSSIBLEFor most salaried Indians, the first concern is cost, and understandably so. While Dubai is often portrayed as a high-end real estate market, there are entry points that may suit higher-income middle-class explains that mid-range apartments in decent neighbourhoods often fall in the AED 1 million to AED 3 million range, or roughly Rs 1.5 crore to Rs 3 crore, depending on the location and such properties, a buyer usually needs to put down around 20% as down payment, plus 4% for the Dubai Land Department's registration fee. That means an Indian buyer would need to have around Rs 35–50 lakh in liquid savings to enter the market.'This is not for everyone,' Ojha cautions, 'but for dual-income families or professionals with long-term savings and financial discipline, it is doable.'FINANCING OPTIONS ARE OPENING UPWhile paying the full amount upfront is rare, Dubai's property market does offer multiple financing says, 'Non-resident Indians can explore mortgage options from banks operating in the UAE. Typically, these require proof of income and a valid passport. The loan-to-value ratio for NRIs ranges between 50% and 80%, depending on the buyer's financial profile.'An increasingly popular option is to go for developer-backed payment plans. These allow buyers to make staggered payments linked to construction milestones, or even continue paying in instalments has made Dubai more accessible to salaried Indians who may not have a large lump sum ready, but can commit to monthly Ojha warns that all payment plans should be studied carefully. "The terms can vary widely. Some look attractive on paper but have hidden conditions. A good advisor will break it down for you.'HIGHER RETURNS COMPARED TO TIER-2 INDIAN CITIESadvertisementWhile the upfront investment is certainly higher than, say, buying a flat in Lucknow or Jaipur, the returns in Dubai are significantly better, Ojha explains.'In Tier-2 cities in India, you typically earn 2% to 2.5% annual rental yield. In Dubai, even mid-range apartments fetch 7% to 10%, especially in expat-driven neighbourhoods. Capital appreciation is also strong—15% to 20% annually, and sometimes more depending on the area and market cycle,' he is also no personal income tax in the UAE, so investors don't have to worry about rental income or capital gains tax eating into their buyers must go in with open eyes. Apart from the down payment, buyers are responsible for several additional costs—4% registration fee, 2% brokerage commission, utility setup fees, and ongoing service charges which cover maintenance and building amenities. These costs can vary based on location, property size and factor is the exchange rate risk between the Indian Rupee and the UAE Dirham. Although the Dirham is pegged to the US dollar and stable, any weakening of the rupee can increase the overall cost of investment for Indian YOU PICK DUBAI OVER TIER-2 INDIA?Ojha says that for a buyer purely focused on returns, Dubai has clear advantages.'Dubai has better infrastructure, a safer legal environment, and much better rental yields. The 2040 Urban Master Plan also promises long-term development and stability," he explained. That said, he does not recommend jumping in without preparation. 'This is an overseas investment, and with that comes complexity. Currency risk, legal compliance under RBI's remittance rules, and property management need to be understood.'For first-time Indian investors from the middle class, Ojha offers simple but important advice: 'Find a trusted, RERA-certified advisor. Don't get carried away by glossy marketing. Start with a research-driven approach.'He recommends visiting Dubai in person if possible, choosing investment-focused properties with strong rental history, and being clear about your goals, rental income, capital gains, or future believes that for the right kind of salaried Indian, with savings, financial discipline, and a long-term view, Dubai is no longer out of reach.'Many of my clients start with one investment and come back for more,' he concluded. (Disclaimer: The views, opinions, recommendations, and suggestions expressed by experts/brokerages in this article are their own and do not reflect the views of the India Today Group. It is advisable to consult a qualified broker or financial advisor before making any actual investment or trading choices.)Must Watch
India Today
31 minutes ago
- India Today
Don't even drink Royal Challenge: DK Shivakumar denies rumours of buying RCB
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has denied rumours that he plans to buy the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) team.'I'm not a mad man. I've been a member of the Karnataka Cricket Association since my younger days, that's all,' he said. 'I don't have time for this, though I did get offers to join cricket management. I don't even have time for my own educational institution, I resigned and left it to my family do I need RCB? I don't even drink Royal Challenge,' he said to news agency indicate that Diageo Plc, the British liquor giant that owns RCB through its Indian arm, United Spirits Ltd, is considering selling a part or full stake in the team. According to sources cited in the report, Diageo has begun early talks with advisers and is weighing options, including a full sale. The company is reportedly looking at a possible valuation of up to 2 billion dollars for the team. However, no final decision has been made, and the discussions are still Shivakumar's comments come just days after a stampede at an RCB felicitation event in Bengaluru left 11 people dead. He also said that Karnataka is now working on a crowd management policy. Earlier on Tuesday, the Karnataka High Court questioned the state government on whether any Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) had been put in place to handle crowds of 50,000 or more at sporting events or similar large-scale IN THIS STORY#Karnataka
