Small Indian grocery shops and major online fashion retailers have launched a boycott of Turkish products, ranging from chocolates and coffee to clothing and cosmetics, in reaction to mounting resentment over Turkey’s backing of Pakistan during a recent conflict with India.
The diplomatic tensions escalated after Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan publicly expressed solidarity with Pakistan following India’s military strikes in retaliation for an attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). The cross-border fighting continued for four days before a ceasefire was declared.
On Monday, the All India Consumer Products Distributors Federation (AICPDF), representing around 13 million small grocery stores, announced an “indefinite and total boycott” of all Turkish-origin goods. Approximately 13 million small grocery stores are represented by the All India Consumer Products Distributors Federation (AICPDF), which declared an “indefinite and total boycott” of all products of Turkish provenance on Monday. The boycott, which will affect a range of food products including chocolates, wafers, jams, biscuits, and skincare items, is part of India’s response to Turkey’s stance on the conflict.
In addition, major Indian online retailers, including Flipkart (owned by Walmart) and Reliance (led by billionaire Mukesh Ambani), have begun removing Turkish apparel brands from their platforms. Myntra, Flipkart’s fashion arm, has taken down listings for popular Turkish brands such as Trendyol, LC Waikiki, and Mavi. Similarly, Reliance’s fashion site, AJIO, has also removed these brands, citing “national sentiments” as the primary reason for the action.
While these moves are not mandated by the Indian government, they reflect a significant consumer-led response. The AICPDF has estimated that the boycott of Turkish food products alone could impact approximately 20 billion rupees (around $234 million) in sales. Apparel imports from Turkey, valued at $81 million last year, are also expected to be affected by the retailer actions.
Mineral fuels and precious metals make up the majority of India’s $2.7 billion in annual imports from Turkey, and the country has not formally issued a ban on Turkish goods. However, the consumer boycott could have a notable economic impact, especially in the food and apparel sectors.
In a further escalation, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh—one of India’s largest apple-growing regions—announced on Monday that he would call for a ban on Turkish apple imports, valued at around $60 million last year.
Additionally, citing “solidarity with India’s national interest and sovereignty”, Flipkart recently halted reservations for hotels, flights, and vacation packages to Turkey. The move comes amid widespread cancellations by Indian consumers planning trips to Turkey.
New Delhi has also taken diplomatic and business measures against Turkey, including the cancellation of security clearances for Turkish-based aviation ground handling company Celebi. According to Reuters, Air India is urging Indian authorities to prevent competitor IndiGo from partnering with Turkish Airlines, citing security and commercial worries about Ankara’s backing of Pakistan.
The ongoing boycott of Turkish products and services highlights the growing diplomatic strain between India and Turkey, with both governments yet to take formal actions on the matter. However, the impact on Turkish businesses could be significant, particularly as India’s consumer market remains one of the largest in the world.