RSS affiliate calls for sanctions against Turkey over its ‘unholy alliance' with Pak
This comes amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following their four-day military confrontation. The conflict saw Pakistan unleash swarms of Turkish drones to target Indian military facilities.
The SJM also appealed to the people of India to avoid travelling to Turkey and boycott its products in solidarity with the country's soldiers and national interest.
New Delhi, May 14 (PTI) RSS-affiliate Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) on Wednesday urged the government to impose economic sanctions, suspend civil aviation links, discourage outbound tourism and re-evaluate diplomatic engagements with Turkey due to its 'unholy alliance' with Pakistan which directly compromises India's security.
'It is shocking to note that Turkey, the second-largest arms supplier to Pakistan after China, has played a key role in modernising Pakistan's navy and enhancing its aerial warfare capabilities.
'This defence collaboration is not just commercial; it is ideological, targeting the stability of South Asia and emboldening Pakistan's military adventurism,' SJM national co-convenor Ashwini Mahajan said in a statement.
The SJM strongly condemns this 'unholy alliance' that directly compromises India's national security, he said.
At a time when India has exercised 'tremendous restraint' in the face of repeated provocations from Pakistan, including harbouring terror camps and aggressive posturing near the Line of Control, Turkey's support amounts to 'direct complicity', he added.
'The Swadeshi Jagran Manch, while reaffirming its commitment to peaceful international engagement rooted in mutual respect and sovereignty, recommends that the government of Bharat impose economic sanctions, suspend civil aviation links, discourage outbound tourism and re-evaluate diplomatic engagements with Turkey,' Mahajan said.
'Restrict non-essential imports from Turkey and impose higher duties on key Turkish commodities such as marble, chemicals and machinery. Temporarily suspend direct flights to Turkey and revoke aviation codeshare privileges until Turkey halts defence supplies to Pakistan,' he asked the government.
'Issue a travel advisory to Indian citizens against visiting Turkey and withdraw tourism promotion cooperation. Reduce the level of diplomatic and cultural exchanges with Turkey, and reassess all bilateral agreements,' he added.
Mahajan also suggested the government to urge Indian businesses and consumers to switch to Indian substitutes for Turkish goods and promote domestic destinations in place of Istanbul, Antalya and Cappadocia.
Turkey, a NATO member and a 'supposed secular republic', has increasingly aligned itself with 'radical Islamist regimes' and military establishments hostile to India's sovereignty, the SJM claimed.
In recent years, Turkey's strategic defence partnership with Pakistan has grown at an alarming pace, with the Turkish government supplying critical military hardware, technological platforms and training to Pakistan's armed forces, it said.
'The Swadeshi Jagran Manch reiterates that the people of Bharat must boycott nations actively helping Pakistan build its offensive capabilities. The principle of 'Nation First' must guide our trade, investment, and diplomatic relationships,' Mahajan said.
It's unfortunate that Turkey didn't even condemn the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, he added.
Mahajan said India stood by Turkey not only as a trading partner but as a responsible global power demonstrating the spirit of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (the world is one family).
'During the devastating earthquakes in February 2023, Bharat was one of the first countries to launch Operation Dost, dispatching rescue teams from the National Disaster Response Force, army medical teams, field hospitals, and over 100 tonnes of relief material including medical supplies, generators, tents and blankets,' he said.
'It seems Turkey has forgotten Bharat's generous and timely humanitarian assistance. Despite these gestures of solidarity and goodwill, Turkey has chosen to side with Bharat's adversaries in matters of vital national security interest,' Mahajan said.
'This betrayal of trust must be addressed with moral clarity and strategic firmness,' he said. PTI PK DIV DIV
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Today
6 minutes ago
- India Today
Setback for India: Jairam Ramesh after US general praises Pakistan's terror fight
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh questioned the Indian government on Wednesday over recent remarks by a top United States military official praising Pakistan's counter-terrorism efforts. Taking to X, Ramesh wrote, 'Recently, the head of the US Central Command called Pakistan a 'great partner in the counter-terrorism campaign'. What will our Prime Minister and his ovation say to this? Is this not a diplomatic setback for India?'advertisementHis statement followed US Central Command chief General Michael Kurilla's testimony before the House Armed Services Committee, where the outgoing commander described Pakistan as a 'phenomenal partner' in counter-terrorism comments came at a time when India had been actively campaigning to expose Pakistan's support for cross-border terrorism, particularly after the deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam in April. During the hearing, General Kurilla urged Washington not to adopt a zero-sum approach in South Asia, stating that the US must maintain strategic relations with both India and Pakistan."We need to have a relationship with Pakistan and with India. I do not believe it is a binary switch that we can't have one with Pakistan if we have a relationship with India,' he said. 'We should look at the merits of the relationship for the positives that it has.'advertisementKurilla's remarks came even as India stepped up diplomatic efforts to hold Pakistan accountable for its alleged role in the Pahalgam attack, which killed 26 people on April 22. In response, India carried out precision air strikes on terror infrastructure across the border in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May military escalation ended on May 10 after the Directors General of Military Operations from both countries reached an officials, including External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, had reiterated that India would not accept any equivalence between victims of terrorism and the perpetrators. New Delhi also expressed concern over multiple international responses that appeared to hyphenate India and Pakistan during the brief military Kurilla, who is expected to retire later this summer, also spoke about Pakistan's role in combatting the Islamic State's regional affiliate, ISIS-Khorasan, also known as IS-KP. He acknowledged efforts by the Pakistani military and army chief General Asim Munir in countering the terror Watch
India Gazette
30 minutes ago
- India Gazette
Centre reduces basic custom duty on major imported crude edible oils from 20% to 10%
New Delhi [India], June 11 (ANI): The central government on Wednesday reduced Basic Custom duty (BCD) on major imported crude edible oils from 20 per cent to 10 per cent. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution said in a release that the Centre has reduced the Basic Customs Duty on crude edible oils - crude sunflower, soybean, and palm oils - has been reduced from 20% to 10% resulting in the import duty differential between crude and refined edible oils from 8.75% to 19.25%. This adjustment aims to address the escalating edible oil prices resulting from the September 2024 duty hike and concurrent increases in international market prices. An advisory has been issued to edible oil associations and industry stakeholders to ensure that the full benefit of the reduced duty is passed on to consumers, the release said. It said 19.25 % duty differential between crude and refined oils will help to encourage domestic refining capacity utilization and reduce imports of refined oils. By lowering the import duty on crude oils, the government aims to reduce the landed cost and retail prices of edible oils, providing relief to consumers and helping to cool overall inflation. The reduced duty will also encourage domestic refining and maintain fair compensation for farmers. The revised duty structure will discourage the import of refined palmolein and redirect demand towards crude edible oils especially crude palm oil, thereby strengthening and revitalizing the domestic refining sector. 'This significant policy intervention not only ensures a level playing field for domestic refiners but also contributes to the stabilization of edible oil prices for Indian consumers,' a release said. A meeting with leading Edible Oil Industry Associations and industry was held under the Chairmanship of Secretary, Department of Food and Public Distribution, and advisory was issued to them to pass on the benefits from this duty reduction on to consumers. Industry stakeholders are expected to adjust the Price to Distributors (PTD) and the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) in accordance with the lower landed costs with immediate effect. The Associations have been requested to advise their members to implement immediate price reductions and share the updated brand-wise MRP sheets with the Department on a weekly basis. DFPD shared the format with edible oil industry for sharing the reduced MRP and PTD data. 'The timely transmission of this benefit to the supply chain is imperative to ensure that consumers experience a corresponding decrease in retail prices,' the release said. This decision comes after a detailed review of the sharp rise in edible oil prices following last year's duty hike. The increase led to significant inflationary pressure on consumers, with retail edible oil prices soaring and contributing to rising food inflation. (ANI)
India Gazette
31 minutes ago
- India Gazette
Lt General BKGM Lasantha Rodrigo, Commander of Sri Lanka Army reaches India
New Delhi [India], June 12 (ANI): Lieutenant General BKGM Lasantha Rodrigo, Commander of the Sri Lankan Army, is officially visiting India from 11th to 14th June 2025. This visit is set to enhance bilateral military cooperation and explore new avenues for collaboration, particularly in the areas of training and capability enhancement, said a statement from Ministry of Defence on Wednesday. It underscores the continued efforts of both nations to further strengthen and deepen their longstanding defence partnership. The first day of the visit began with a solemn wreath-laying ceremony at the National War Memorial in New Delhi. Lieutenant General BKGM Lasantha Rodrigo paid tribute to the brave soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the nation. Following the wreath-laying, Lieutenant General BKGM Lasantha Rodrigo was given a formal Guard of Honour in the South Block Lawns. The ceremonial event, attended by senior officials of the Indian Army, marked a significant gesture of respect and a symbol of the enduring friendship between the two nations. The Guard of Honour was followed by a series of high-level meetings beginning with an in-depth interaction with Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani, Vice Chief of the Army Staff of the Indian Army. Both the military leaders discussed wide-ranging issues, including aspects of bilateral defence cooperation and regional security concerns. Later, Lieutenant General BKGM Lasantha Rodrigo was briefed on Operation Sindoor and India's security perspective. He was also briefed by other senior officers of the Indian Army on matters of mutual interest. Lieutenant General BKGM Lasantha Rodrigo thereafter met Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, Chief of Air Staff and Rajesh Kumar Singh, Defence Secretary. These meetings provided an opportunity for the exchange of views on broader defence and security issues, focusing on matters of mutual interest. Lieutenant General BKGM Lasantha Rodrigo also planted a tree at the Manekshaw Centre, symbolising the time-tested relationship of the Indian and Sri Lankan Armies. On 12th June 2025, Lieutenant General BKGM Lasantha Rodrigo is scheduled to visit Jaipur and meet Lieutenant General Manjinder Singh, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, South Western Command. The General Officer will grace the Passing Out Parade at the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun, as the Reviewing Officer on 14th June 2025. This visit will mark a poignant return to his alma mater, where he was commissioned in December 1990, with the 87th Course of the IMA- an experience that laid the foundation of his illustrious military career. His presence at the Academy will rekindle memories of his formative years, now brought full circle as he would review a new generation of officers. Adding a personal and emotional dimension to the ceremony, Brigadier RMSP Rathnayake of Sri Lanka Army, will also be in attendance to witness his son, Foreign Officer Cadet RMNL Rathnayake, being commissioned with the current course. This confluence of legacy and leadership underscores the enduring spirit of camaraderie and leadership connect between the two Armies. Lieutenant General BKGM Lasantha Rodrigo's visit to India is marked by a series of productive engagements, aimed at furthering the defence relationship between Sri Lanka and India. The visit not only highlights the commitment of both nations to strengthening their military ties but also underscores their shared focus on regional security and peace. (ANI)
