He reminded Turkey of India’s historical ties with Pakistan and noted that India has a larger Muslim population than Pakistan.
He added that India and Turkey have a long history together and that “Turkey must reconsider its stance of supporting Pakistan.”
Owaisi Highlights Historical Ties Between India and Turkey
AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi recently shed light on the longstanding historical connections between India and Turkey. He mentioned Isbank, a Turkish bank that once had depositors from India, as a symbol of these historical ties. Owaisi also noted that until 1990, the Turkish language was taught in Ladakh. Highlighting deeper historical connections, he said, “Until 1920, people from northern Turkey used to come to Ladakh and then travel to Mumbai to perform Hajj.”
Owaisi Emphasizes India’s Muslim Population, Criticizes Pakistan
Owaisi also addressed the religious demographics of South Asia, stating that India has around 220 million Muslims—more than Pakistan. He argued that portraying Pakistan as the sole representative of Islam is misleading. “There are more Muslims in India than in Pakistan, and Pakistan has nothing to do with Islam at all,” he stated. His remarks come in the context of rising calls in India to boycott Turkey and Azerbaijan, following their support for Pakistan after incidents such as Operation Sindoor and the Pahalgam attack.
India-Turkey Relations Strained Amid Boycott Calls
India-Turkey diplomatic relations have come under strain amid growing boycott calls. This has led to canceled travel plans, halted academic collaborations, and the suspension of Celebi Aviation’s operational license in India. Many are also questioning Turkey’s reciprocity, especially in light of India’s humanitarian assistance during the 2023 earthquake in Turkey. However, the Indian central government has yet to issue an official response on the matter.
Academic Fallout: Indian Universities Sever Ties
In response to the tensions, several Indian universities have ended their collaborations with institutions in Turkey and Azerbaijan. Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Jamia Millia Islamia, and Lovely Professional University (LPU) are among those that have taken such steps. LPU has specifically cited Turkey and Azerbaijan’s pro-Pakistan stance as the reason for ending all academic partnerships.