Indian top universities cancel MoUs with Turkey over Pakistan support

Several prominent Indian universities have suspended their academic Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with institutions in Turkey, citing national security concerns.

The latest to act is Jamia Millia Islamia, which issued a statement on Thursday announcing the immediate suspension of all MoUs with any institution affiliated with the Government of the Republic of Turkiye.

In a post on X, the university said: "Due to national security considerations, any Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, and any institution affiliated with the Government of the Republic of Turkiye stands suspended with immediate effect, until further orders. Jamia Millia Islamia stands firmly with the Nation." The move comes after Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) suspended its own MoU with Inonu University in Turkey.

The agreement, signed earlier this year on February 3, was intended to promote collaborative research and student exchanges. However, JNU echoed similar national security concerns in its own statement: "Due to National Security considerations, the MoU between JNU and Inonu University, Turkiye stands suspended until further notice. JNU stands with the Nation."

Adding to the wave of academic disengagement, the Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) in Hyderabad has also cancelled its academic MoU with the Yunus Emre Institute in Turkey with immediate effect.

These decisions came amid a broader deterioration in India-Turkey relations, spurred by Ankara's strong support for Pakistan and criticism of India's recent strikes on terror camps across the border. Turkey's alignment with Pakistan on key strategic and defence issues has triggered domestic calls in India for the boycott of Turkish products and tourism.

National security concerns escalated further following a press briefing by Indian defence officials, where it was revealed that Turkish-made drones had been recovered from a recent operation. Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh confirmed that forensic analysis had identified the models as Turkish-origin Songar drones manufactured by Asisguard.

The presence of these drones in Pakistan's arsenal pointed to the deepening defence cooperation between Ankara and Islamabad - a relationship that is increasingly drawing scrutiny in New Delhi.

The suspension of MoUs by Indian universities is seen as part of a wider effort to review and recalibrate institutional ties with countries perceived as working against India's national interests, say officials.

The government on Thursday revoked the security clearance for Turkish ground-handling firm Celebi Airport Services at the Indian airports, as calls grew to ban Turkish businesses in the wake of their country supporting Pakistan which harbours terrorism.

In a notification, the Ministry of Civil Aviation said that "in the exercise of power conferred upon DG, BCAS, the security clearance in Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd is hereby revoked with immediate effect in the interest of National Security." The Turkish company handles around 70 per cent of the ground operations at Mumbai airport, including passenger services, load control, flight operations, cargo and postal services, warehouses and bridge operations.

Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Cooperation, Murlidhar Mohol, said in a post on X that we have received requests from across India to ban Celebi NAS Airport Services India Ltd, a Turkish company operating ground handling services at Indian airports.

"Recognising the seriousness of the issue and the call to protect national interests, we have taken cognizance of these requests and Ministry of Civil Aviation has revoked security clearance of the said company. Ensuring the safety and interests of the nation remains our top priority," the minister posted.

Since its entry in 2008, Celebi has expanded its presence in India's aviation sector.

As per reports, the firm is partly owned by Sumeyye Erdogan, daughter of Tayyip Erdogan.

Sumeyye Erdogan is married to Selcuk Bayraktar, the man who produces Bayraktar military drones which Pakistan used against India.

This suggests that support to Pakistan is not just a matter of Turkish state policy, but one in which Erdogan's own family is directly involved, according to reports.

Meanwhile, BJP spokesperson Gourav Vallabh said on Thursday that with growing clamour for 'Turkey boycott' in the country, the Middle-East nation will soon face the heat and lose a major share of tourism business from India.

Vallabh told IANS that tourism remains one of the mainstays of Turkish economy and it has already lost 10 per cent of tourists for betraying India and it will take a further hit, soon.

Notably, there has been a growing anger and outrage in the country over Turkey extending open support to Pakistan during the recent conflict, not just in the digital space but also militarily.

Indo-Asian News Service