Turkey Sees Sharp Decline In Indian Tourist Footfalls After Ankara's Support For Pakistan During Op Sindoor: Report

Indian tourist visiting Turkey dropped sharply in June, with official data showing a 37 per cent decline compared to last year.

The downturn follows widespread backlash in India over Turkey’s support for Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, News18 reported.

According to data from Turkey’s tourism ministry, only 24,250 Indians visited the country in June 2025, compared to 38,307 in June 2024.

May also saw a similar trend, with Indian tourist arrivals falling from 41,554 last year to 31,659 this year.

The decline coincides with a boycott campaign in India against travel to Turkey after New Delhi revealed that Turkish-origin drones were used by Pakistan during an attempted cross-border strike.

India recovered debris from SONGAR ASISGUARD drones, Turkey’s first indigenously developed armed drone, used by Pakistan during the 9 May attack.

Also Read: Chennai Eyes Water Metro Inspired By Kochi Model; Plans 53-km Corridor Linking East Coast Road To Napier Bridge

In response, major Indian travel portals, including MakeMyTrip, EaseMyTrip, and Cleartrip, suspended promotion of Turkey tour packages.

The News18 report quoted a senior Indian official saying that June’s figures reflect the full impact, as most Indian travellers book their holidays months in advance.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing Parliament earlier this week, said that only three countries, Turkey, China, and Azerbaijan, sided with Pakistan during Op Sindoor, while the rest of the global community backed India.

Turkey’s pro-Pakistan position was further underscored when a Turkish military aircraft reportedly landed in Karachi on 28 April, days after the Pahalgam terror attack.

Two days later, a senior Turkish military delegation visited Pakistan.

Subsequently, Pakistan’s top leadership, including PM Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir, visited Ankara to thank President Erdoğan for his support.

In a possible diplomatic signal, PM Modi visited Cyprus, an adversary of Turkey, on his way to the G7 Summit in Canada, where he toured UN-controlled areas in Nicosia and discussed the long-standing Turkish occupation of northern Cyprus.

Also Read: UK Signals Willingness To Fight Over Taiwan, Strengthens Military Ties with Australia Amid Rising China Tensions