Diplomacy vs. Demand: Turkey Walks a Tightrope Between India’s Anger and Aviation Opportunity

Turkey’s recent foreign policy choices, especially its vocal support for Pakistan, have placed it at odds with India on several strategic fronts. But while diplomatic relations have soured, Turkish Airlines continues to court India’s booming aviation market—a balancing act that could soon tip under pressure.

In the wake of the 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, tensions between India and Pakistan escalated dramatically. India launched a series of military strikes and took diplomatic action against Pakistan. Turkey, instead of maintaining neutrality, issued statements defending Pakistan and blamed “regional instability” on the unresolved Kashmir issue—echoing Islamabad’s position. The move sparked outrage across Indian media, foreign policy circles, and the public.

Despite this, Turkish Airlines has not only maintained its operations in India but is actively seeking to expand them. The airline wants to double its flights under the India-Turkey bilateral air service agreement and add new cities to its network. With India poised to become the third-largest aviation market by 2030, Turkish Airlines sees an opportunity too big to ignore.

But public sentiment in India is moving in the opposite direction. There has been a visible surge in anti-Turkey sentiment, with social media campaigns urging travelers to boycott Turkish destinations and carriers. This has translated into real-world consequences: bookings to Turkey have nosedived, cancellations have spiked, and corporate travel planners are avoiding Turkish routes.

Travel agencies report that destinations like Greece, which offer similar cultural experiences, have become the preferred alternatives. Domestic travel is also seeing a boost, with Indian travelers opting to “spend at home” rather than support a country perceived as undermining national interests.

Indian policymakers have yet to block Turkish aviation access, but murmurs of a policy shift are growing louder. Behind closed doors, aviation regulators are reportedly reviewing whether bilateral traffic rights should be leveraged in response to geopolitical tensions.

For Turkey, the risk is clear. If it continues to align closely with Pakistan on sensitive issues like Kashmir, it may lose access to a key economic partner—not just in aviation but across trade, tourism, and investment. Navigating this diplomatic minefield while trying to expand commercial ties with India may prove increasingly difficult.

Unless Ankara chooses to recalibrate its rhetoric and approach toward South Asia, its commercial ambitions—particularly in the skies—could soon be grounded.