Balancing Skies and Strategy: Turkey’s Aviation Ambitions in India Amid Pakistan Alignment

Balancing Skies and Strategy: Turkey’s Aviation Ambitions in India Amid Pakistan Alignment
Jitendra Kumar
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Turkey’s growing alignment with Pakistan, especially in military and diplomatic matters, has raised significant concerns in New Delhi. At the same time, Turkey continues to court India’s booming aviation and tourism markets, creating a paradox that illustrates the complexities of modern geopolitics.

In the aftermath of the 2025 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which India attributes to Pakistan-backed groups, New Delhi has been reevaluating its diplomatic stance toward countries publicly supporting Islamabad. One of the most vocal among them has been Turkey. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s strong support for Pakistan, both diplomatically and militarily, has been noted with alarm in Indian strategic circles.

Despite these tensions, Turkish Airlines has continued to expand its footprint in India. The airline is lobbying to double its weekly flights, extend routes to more Indian cities, and deepen its market share in the Indian aviation sector, which is projected to be the third-largest globally by 2030.

This creates a unique duality: while Turkey may be seen as working against Indian interests on security matters, it is simultaneously invested in strengthening economic ties, especially in sectors like aviation and tourism.

Indian travelers have historically favored Turkey as a holiday destination, with over 165,000 visiting in just the first half of 2024. However, public sentiment has soured following Turkey’s unequivocal backing of Pakistan. Travel agencies report a drastic dip in interest—cancellations have spiked, and bookings have plunged by over 60%. Hashtags like #BoycottTurkey have trended on Indian social media platforms, and prominent business figures like Harsh Goenka have advocated shifting tourism spending to nations friendlier to India.

Turkey’s military cooperation with Pakistan further fuels the controversy. The supply of high-end military equipment, joint training exercises, and defense collaborations between Ankara and Islamabad have prompted India to reconsider its procurement strategies and curtail defense imports from Turkey.

Yet, Turkey’s economic interests in India—especially in aviation—are substantial. The question remains whether both countries can compartmentalize strategic disagreements while allowing commerce and civil partnerships to flourish. As of now, the skies between them remain turbulent.

Journalist Details

Jitendra Kumar
Jitendra Kumar is an Indian journalist and social activist from Hathras in Uttar Pradesh is known as the senior journalist and founder of Xpert Times Network Private Limited.