Amid a strong sentiment among Indian citizens against Turkey and Azerbaijan for siding with Pakistan in the recent India-Pak conflict, Indian Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar has made a strong statement about taking a stand as a nation regarding whether to contribute in improving economies of countries which “in times of crisis, are positioned against us.”

His statement comes when Turkey and Azerbaijan are facing severe backlash from India for supporting Pakistan in the recent bilateral tension.
“Can we afford to empower countries that are inimical to our interests? Time has come when each one of us must deeply think about economic nationalism,” the Vice-President said. “We no longer can afford, by travel or import, to improve the economies of those countries because of our participation. And those countries, in times of crisis, are positioned against us,” he added.

Addressing the Annual Convocation of Jaipuria Institute of Management at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on Saturday, Dhankhar said, “Every individual is empowered to help the nation in security. Trade, business, commerce, and industry in particular can play a pivotal role in security issues. Therefore I firmly believe that we must always keep one thing in mind, and that is: Nation first. Everything has to be reckoned on the fulcrum of deep commitment, unflinching commitment, and dedication to nationalism. And that mindset we must teach our toddlers right from day one.”

He also lauded the ongoing Operation Sindoor and paid tribute to India’s Armed Forces. “I must, on this occasion—since I am addressing youth of the country in particular—offer my salutations to all Armed Forces and the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the remarkable success of the ongoing Operation Sindoor.”

Strong sentiment against Turkey and Azerbaijan in India

Following reports shared during Operation Sindoor, which revealed that Turkish-made Asisguard Songar drones were deployed by Pakistan in the recent attack against India, Indians have decided boycott Turkish products, stop trade deals with Turkey and even ban the country as a vacation destination.

A major segment of India’s outbound travel sector is witnessing a steep decline in demand for Turkey. A sharp decline in interest for Turkey as a travel destination with nearly 80 per cent of bookings either cancelled or postponed.

Leading travel agencies including EaseMyTrip, Cox &Kings and ixigo have suspended all travel packages, flights and hotel bookings to Turkey and Azerbaijan in solidarity with India, amid reports of Turkey siding with Pakistan.

Indian travellers and travel agents have expressed strong displeasure over Turkey’s statements of support for Pakistan during the conflict, leading to mass cancellations and halt on new bookings.
This comes after public statements by Turkey and Azerbaijan in support of Pakistan after India launched ‘Operation Sindoor’, targeting terror infrastructure across the border. The two countries have expressed diplomatic support for Pakistan.

Turkey not only supported Pakistan with ammunition such as more than 350 drones, but Turkish advisors helped Pakistani Army officials coordinate drone attacks on India after Operation Sindoor. Two Turkish military operatives were reportedly killed as part of Operation Sindoor.

Justice is done by Bharat to Sindoor in sublimity: Vice-President lauds Operation Sindoor

Calling the operation a befitting response to the barbaric attack at Pahalgam, the Vice-President further said, “It was a remarkable retaliation, befitting our ethos of peace and tranquility to the barbarity that happened at Pahalgam—the deadliest attack on our civilians since the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. The Prime Minister of this country, Shri Narendra Modi, sent a message from India’s heartland of Bihar to the entire global fraternity. Those were not empty words. The world now has realized: what is said is reality. No one is asking for proof now. The world has seen and acknowledged. We have seen this saga—how that country is deeply engrossed in terrorism. When coffins are taken with armed forces and military power and political power accompanying them, justice is done by Bharat to Sindoor in sublimity.”