Turkiye, Azerbaijan boycott: Passport as an instrument of peaceful protest
It was 1989. My spouse and I were in Madurai, stepping out of our hotel to visit the Meenakshi temple, when we were surrounded by cycle-rickshaw drivers vying for our attention. One voice cut through the din — 'Aao, aao Beso' (Come, come, sit — in Gujarati). The phrase was so unexpected — we understand Gujarati but aren't Gujarati ourselves — that we promptly chose his rickshaw.
In a region known for its political resistance to learning other languages, Sundar — our semi-literate, Tamil-speaking driver — had picked up a smattering of Gujarati, along with bits of several other languages. Through gestures and an improvised multilingual conversation, we learned that he had taught himself these phrases to better serve tourists — and had been rewarded for it. That encounter stayed with me as a lasting lesson: Economic incentives can shape human behaviour in ways that politics often cannot. Similar patterns emerge across tourist hotspots: Signboards in German, Russian and Hebrew in Rishikesh, for instance, reflect the rising number of visitors there from countries where these languages are spoken. Sundar's story came to mind amid the growing grassroots movement in India: Citizens choosing not to travel to Turkiye and Azerbaijan.
This voluntary restraint stems from the unambiguous support these countries offer Pakistan, especially on issues like Kashmir and cross-border terrorism, as well as their deepening military ties.
Today, India's admired soft power — from Yoga to cinema to cuisine — has begun extending to our travel decisions. The presence of a Bollywood-themed restaurant at the summit of Jungfrau in Switzerland, the availability of Hindi-speaking local guides in African safari packages for the Serengeti and Masai Mara, and the presence of dedicated wedding planners, caterers, and priests for Indian weddings in unlikely countries abroad — all speak volumes about the economic influence and cultural footprint of Indian travellers. It is in this context that we need to see the travel statistics for Turkiye and Azerbaijan. In 2024, over 330,000 Indians visited Turkiye, contributing an estimated $350–400 million in tourism revenues. India also ranked as the third-largest source of tourists for Azerbaijan. Indian travellers — particularly in the luxury and event-tourism sectors — tend to spend significantly above average, giving them quite an economic clout.
The travel boycott isn't about jingoism. It's akin to choosing organic over pesticide-laden produce or opting for fair-trade goods. Travel isn't just about leisure; it's a transaction of trust, culture, and capital. Choosing where not to go becomes a peaceful yet powerful way to express values.
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