IIT Bombay suspends ties with Turkish universities amid backlash over Turkey’s military aid to Pakistan

"Due to the current geopolitical situation involving Turkey, IIT Bombay is processing suspension of its agreements with Turkish universities until further notice," the institute said in a statement released on Saturday, reported India Today.

The move comes in the wake of Turkey’s reported military assistance to Pakistan in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terrorist attack.

The Indian Army’s Operation Sindoor—its retaliatory action—was met with countermeasures involving Turkish-made kamikaze drones, some of which were found on Indian territory.

Reports also suggest that Turkey sent military personnel to support Pakistan, and dispatched six aircraft and a warship as tensions flared.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's phone call to Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during the crisis has further reinforced perceptions of Ankara siding with Islamabad, fuelling calls in India for a boycott of Turkish products and the suspension of institutional ties.

IIT Bombay joins list of Indian universities cutting ties

IIT Bombay is not the first Indian institution to act. Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and Jamia Millia Islamia have also moved to distance themselves from Turkish academia.

JNU suspended its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) 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.

The MoU, signed on February 3, was valid for three years and included plans for faculty and student exchanges and other academic collaboration.

Similarly, Jamia Millia Islamia announced the suspension of all forms of engagement with Turkish institutions, stating it would not collaborate with "any Turkish educational institution, as well as with any Turkish establishment."

The University of Delhi is also reviewing its foreign MoUs. "We are examining all the MoUs, and a decision will be taken after a thorough review," a senior university official told news agency PTI.

The backlash has extended beyond the academic sphere.

Traders across India have reportedly begun rejecting Turkish products, while travel to Turkey has also taken a hit.

Travel platforms such as EaseMyTrip and Ixigo have issued advisories against visiting Turkey or its allied countries, with users reportedly cancelling their travel bookings to the West Asian country.