India targets Turkiye, Azerbaijan after losing diplomatic ground in Pakistan conflict

Facing diplomatic isolation in the wake of its recent military conflict with Pakistan, India has taken retaliatory steps against Turkiye and Azerbaijan—two countries that expressed support for Islamabad during the escalation.

According to Indian media reports, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has begun rolling back business ties with Turkish and Azerbaijani entities in apparent protest of their alignment with Pakistan. This includes key aviation contracts, as political tensions bleed into economic relations.

In a significant move, the Adani Group—operator of major Indian airports in Mumbai and Ahmedabad—terminated ground handling contracts with Turkish aviation services giant Çelebi. The firm has been ordered to immediately hand over operations, with airport authorities assuring airlines that alternative agencies would ensure uninterrupted services. Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport has taken similar steps, severing its links with Çelebi.

Meanwhile, Air India is reportedly urging the Indian government to cancel Indigo Airlines’ wet lease agreement with Turkish Airlines, another blow to bilateral cooperation in the aviation sector.

These measures follow visible frustration among Indian officials and media over U.S. President Donald Trump’s neutral stance, as he reiterated the need to resolve the India-Pakistan issue bilaterally and offered to mediate—something New Delhi traditionally resists.

Azerbaijan, which also offered diplomatic support to Pakistan during the flare-up, is likely to face similar economic and diplomatic pushback, although no specific actions have been announced yet.

On the domestic front, the fallout from the conflict has further stirred political controversy. A BJP minister from Madhya Pradesh triggered outrage by insulting Col Sofiya Qureshi, a prominent Muslim army spokesperson during the conflict, calling her a “sister of terrorists.” A high court judge has now ordered an FIR against the minister, Vijay Shah.

Adding fuel to the fire, Deputy Chief Minister Jagdish Devda sparked fresh criticism by saying the Indian Army “bows to Prime Minister Modi,” remarks widely condemned by the opposition. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh called the statement “disgraceful,” while others like Sachin Pilot and Mayawati demanded an apology, accusing the BJP of disrespecting the armed forces.

Protests erupted in several cities, and Congress leaders filed police complaints over what they called a coordinated campaign to politicize the military.

With countries like China and Turkiye backing Pakistan diplomatically—and only Israel publicly supporting India without hedging—India now finds itself navigating international isolation while its domestic political climate grows increasingly turbulent.