What happened?
India is set to discuss IndiGo’s codeshare and leasing agreements with Turkish Airlines with its security agencies to determine further action. This move follows growing public anger in India regarding Turkey’s support for Pakistan after a recent attack on tourists in Jammu and Kashmir by Islamist assailants. Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu confirmed that input is being taken from IndiGo and security agencies.
IndiGo and Turkish Airlines entered a codeshare partnership in 2018, expanding IndiGo’s international reach. Since 2023, Turkish Airlines has also provided two aircraft with pilots and crew to IndiGo for New Delhi- and Mumbai-to-Istanbul routes under a leasing arrangement. These agreements have faced increasing calls for cancellation. Previously, Air India lobbied Indian officials to halt the leasing tie-up, citing business impact and security concerns due to Istanbul’s support for Pakistan. The Indian government recently revoked the security clearance of Turkish ground handling service firm Celebi, citing national security, which led to a lawsuit. There is also a growing boycott of Turkish products by Indian grocery shops and online retailers following Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan’s public solidarity with Pakistan after India’s military strikes in response to the killing of tourists.
Why it matters to India
This development holds significant implications for India’s economic and security interests. The review of aviation ties reflects India’s strong response to perceived support for terrorism and aims to protect its national security interests. The potential disruption of the IndiGo-Turkish Airlines partnership could impact India’s aviation sector and international connectivity, particularly for long-haul routes to Europe and the U.S.. The boycott of Turkish products further demonstrates the public sentiment and economic leverage India is willing to exert in response to geopolitical stances perceived as hostile. This move also highlights India’s commitment to prioritizing national security over commercial interests when faced with geopolitical tensions and support for entities perceived as hostile.