Amid growing calls to cut ties with Turkey, top Indian universities like JNU and Jamia Millia have also joined the move. Jawaharlal Nehru University recently ended its academic partnership with Inonu University in Turkey, saying it supports the Indian army and is acting in the interest of national security.
“Due to National Security considerations, the MoU between JNU and Inonu University, Türkiye stands suspended until further notice. JNU stands with the Nation,” the university said in a tweet.
According to reports, Professor Saima Saeed, PRO of Jamia Millia Islamia, says that Jamia stands with the Nation and the Government of India.
The backlash against Turkey came after its Foreign Secretary, Ankara, publicly criticised India’s military attacks on Pakistan on May 7. Later, Indian authorities confirmed that Pakistan’s drones shot down near the border areas were from Turkey.
Following this, a series of online campaigns started, sparking outrage against Turkey’s stance in support of Pakistan. Traders, including fruit vendors, have also stopped selling fruits from Turkey, accusing Turkey of aligning with Pakistan and benefiting from the trade in India.
Indian travellers are also boycotting trips to Turkey.
The educational legacy between Indian and Turkish institutions is longstanding. The Indian Council for Cultural Relations has a Hindi Chair at Ankara University for teaching Hindi to Turkish students. Similarly, the Yunus Emre Foundation has sent Turkish professors to India to teach the Turkish language at Jamia Millia Islamia. Several events were also organised as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, sustaining the cultural exchange between the two countries.
Various Universities and colleges have signed several MoUs with Educational Institutions in Turkey, the latest in 2021, as published in a list of MoUs by the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology
