IIT Bombay suspends academic ties with Turkish universities amid backlash over Turkey's support for Pakistan during the recent India-Pakistan military escalation.
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| Amid Turkey's military support to Pakistan, IIT Bombay and other Indian universities have begun suspending academic partnerships with Turkish institutions. Image: IIT |
MUMBAI, INDIA — May 18, 2025:
In response to Turkey’s alleged military support for Pakistan amid recent hostilities with India, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay has suspended its academic agreements with Turkish universities, joining a growing list of Indian institutions cutting ties with the West Asian nation.
"Due to the current geopolitical situation involving Turkey, IIT Bombay is processing suspension of its agreements with Turkish universities until further notice," the institute stated on Saturday.
The move comes amid escalating tensions following Operation Sindoor, India’s retaliatory military response to the Pahalgam terrorist attack. Turkey reportedly supplied kamikaze drones to Pakistan and deployed military personnel to assist Pakistan’s forces. Several Turkish-manufactured drones were recovered on Indian territory after a cross-border drone offensive by the Pakistan Army.
The Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, also held a call with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, expressing support. Additionally, Turkish military assets—including six aircraft and a warship—were reportedly dispatched to Pakistan.
These developments triggered widespread backlash across India, prompting boycotts of Turkish goods, cancellations of travel plans, and now, academic disengagement.
Premier Indian institutions such as Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and Jamia Millia Islamia have also suspended their Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with Turkish universities. JNU terminated its agreement with Inonu University, citing national security concerns.
"JNU has suspended the MoU due to national security considerations as JNU stands with the nation and the armed forces, many of whom are JNU alumni," said Vice-Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit.
Similarly, Jamia Millia Islamia announced a halt to all forms of collaboration with Turkish educational institutions.
Private and state-run universities have joined the trend. Sharda University in Noida has canceled its MoUs with Istanbul Aydin University and Hasan Kalyoncu University. Kanpur University stated that continuing ties with Turkish institutions would be against national interests.
The University of Delhi is currently reviewing its international academic collaborations. “We are examining all the MoUs, and a decision will be taken after a thorough review,” a senior university official told PTI.
Outside academia, the boycott movement is gaining momentum. Indian traders have reportedly begun removing Turkish goods from their shelves, while online travel agencies such as EaseMyTrip and Ixigo have issued travel advisories against visiting Turkey and its allied countries.
As geopolitical tensions continue to reverberate through diplomatic, economic, and educational channels, India’s academic institutions are signaling a firm alignment with national policy in the face of international developments.