Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has suspended an academic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Turkey’s Inonu University, citing national security concerns, according to an official statement released on Wednesday.
“In view of national security considerations, the MoU between JNU and Inonu University, Turkey, has been suspended until further notice,” the university posted on X (formerly Twitter).
The MoU, which was signed on February 3 for a three-year term, included provisions for faculty and student exchange programmes, among other collaborative initiatives.
A senior university official told PTI, “We have suspended the MoU with Inonu University. The agreement involved academic exchanges and mutual cooperation in various fields.”
This decision comes amid escalating tensions following Turkey’s vocal support for Pakistan during India’s Operation Sindoor—a counterterrorism strike targeting infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Turkey, along with Azerbaijan, publicly criticized India’s actions, while Islamabad reportedly deployed Turkish-supplied kamikaze drones in a failed attack against Indian military targets.
Turkey’s stance in support of Pakistan has sparked widespread criticism within India. Calls for boycotting Turkish products have emerged from multiple quarters, including traders and tourism industry representatives. Travel companies have started cancelling trips to Turkey, one of the most popular international destinations for Indian tourists.
In Maharashtra’s Pune, local traders initiated a campaign to boycott Turkish apples, a movement that has since spread to vendors in Uttar Pradesh, who have pledged to sever all trade ties with Turkey.
Subhash Goyal, Chairman of the Tourism Committee at the Chamber of Commerce, expressed disappointment: “It is disheartening. India extended immense support to Turkey during its recent earthquake, including dispatching doctors, a dog squad, and medical personnel under ‘Operation Dost.’ We did not expect Turkey to align with our adversaries. In response, tourism bodies including the Travel Agents Association of India have endorsed a boycott of Turkey and Azerbaijan.”
In a related move, the law firm Lex Jurists cancelled a planned trip to Azerbaijan. Rajendra Singh, the firm’s Managing Partner, said, “We had scheduled our trip before the Pahalgam attack, but following the developments, we immediately called it off. Going forward, my focus will be on promoting domestic tourism.”
