Explained: India's Trade Ties with Turkey and Azerbaijan Amid Pakistan Conflict(www.ndtv.com)

Published: May 14, 2025

Amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, the spotlight has turned to India's trade and diplomatic relations with Turkey and Azerbaijan. Both nations have expressed support for Pakistan, leading to calls within India for economic and tourism boycotts. This article delves into the current state of India's trade with these countries and the potential implications of the ongoing geopolitical developments.(The Times of India)

India-Turkey Trade Relations

Trade Overview(India Briefing)

India's bilateral trade with Turkey stood at $10.43 billion in FY2023-24, with exports amounting to $6.65 billion and imports at $3.78 billion. This accounts for approximately 1.5% of India's total exports and 0.5% of its total imports. (Business Today, @EconomicTimes)

Key Export and Import Items

• Exports to Turkey: Mineral fuels and oil ($960 million), electrical machinery, auto parts, organic chemicals, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and iron and steel.(Upstox - Online Stock and Share Trading)

• Imports from Turkey: Marble, fresh apples (about $10 million), gold, vegetables, mineral oil ($1.81 billion), chemicals, and iron and steel. (Upstox - Online Stock and Share Trading)

Recent Developments

The use of Turkish-made drones by Pakistan in recent attacks has sparked outrage in India. Political parties like Shiv Sena have demanded the removal of Turkish firms from key infrastructure projects, such as airport operations in Mumbai. (The Economic Times)

India-Azerbaijan Trade Relations(Outlook Business)

Trade Overview(Aviation A2Z)

India's trade with Azerbaijan has grown significantly, reaching $1.435 billion in 2023. India imported $1.235 billion worth of goods, mainly crude oil, and exported products worth $201 million. (indianembassybaku.gov.in, Aviation A2Z)

Key Export and Import Items(Aviation A2Z)

• Exports to Azerbaijan: Tobacco products ($28.67 million), tea, coffee, cereals, chemicals, plastics, rubber, paper, and ceramics.(@EconomicTimes)

• Imports from Azerbaijan: Animal fodder, organic chemicals, essential oils, raw hides, and leather. (@EconomicTimes)

Energy Cooperation(The Diplomat)

India has invested over $1.2 billion in Azerbaijan's oil sector, including stakes in the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli oil field and the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline through ONGC Videsh Ltd. (indianembassybaku.gov.in)

Impact of Pakistan Conflict on Trade

Economic Boycotts(Instagram)

In response to Turkey and Azerbaijan's support for Pakistan, Indian traders and organizations have initiated boycotts. For instance, traders in Udaipur and Pune are pushing for a ban on Turkish imports, particularly marble. (The Times of India, The Times of India)

Tourism Decline(Reuters)

Indian tourism to Turkey and Azerbaijan has seen a significant decline. In 2024, 3.3 lakh Indians visited Turkey, and 2.43 lakh visited Azerbaijan. However, recent calls for boycotts have led to cancellations and a shift in travel preferences. (The Times of India, Moneycontrol)

Public Sentiment(www.ndtv.com)

Public figures and companies have voiced their stance against Turkey and Azerbaijan. EaseMyTrip's Nishant Pitti and Ixigo's Aloke Bajpai have called for boycotts, emphasizing national interest over business. (The Times of India, The Economic Times)

Strategic Considerations

While trade volumes with Turkey and Azerbaijan are relatively modest, the symbolic impact of boycotts and diplomatic strains is significant. India's strategic investments, especially in Azerbaijan's energy sector, highlight the complexity of balancing economic interests with geopolitical concerns.