Jamia Turkiye relations appears to be strained as Jamia Millia Islamia has suspended ties with all Turkish institutions over Turkiye’s support to Pakistan amid heightened tensions with India.

“Jamia has suspended any form of collaboration with any Turkish educational institution and also any collaboration with any Turkish establishment. We stand with the Government and the nation, and everything stands suspended until further notice,” Prof Saima Saeed, Chief PRO, Jamia Millia Islamia, told PTI.

Erdogan’s 2017 visit marked high point in Jamia Turkiye engagement

Relationship between Jamia and Turkiye is old as the university also runs a course in Turkey language and has a department. Jamia offers a BA (Honours) in Turkish Language and Literature. Also its Department of Foreign Languages offers an Advanced Diploma in Turkish (part-time).

In 2017, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan visited Jamia to celebrate the relationship between Jamia Türkiye. He was honored with the Degree of Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa) in an impressive special convocation ceremony by Jamia for “his contribution to strengthening international cooperation, peace, and diplomacy, as well as for his extraordinary humanitarian aid to millions of refugees”, according to Jamia administration.

The degree was conferred by then Jamia Chancellor, Lt Gen (Retd) M A  Zaki. Vice Chancellor, Prof Talat Ahmad read out the citation in an effort to strengthen Jamia Turkiye relation.

Besides Jamia, several educational centres in New Delhi, Jawaharlal Nehru University, have either suspended their collaboration with Turkish universities or are considering it. JNU has suspended a memorandum of understanding with Turkiye’s Inonu University, reported PTI.

“JNU has suspended the MoU due to national security considerations as JNU stands with the nation and the armed forces, many of whom are JNU alumni,” JNU Vice-Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit said in a statement.

The University of Delhi is also reviewing its international academic partnerships. “We are examining all the MoUs, and we will take a decision only after reviewing the agreements,” a senior DU official told PTI.

Maulana Azad National Urdu University has announced the cancellation of its academic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Yunus Emre Institute, Turkey with immediate effect. The decision is taken in protest against Turkey’s support for Pakistan’s terrorist activities in the backdrop of Indo-Pak tensions, said MANUU.

It is worth mentioning that on 2nd January 2024, MANUU signed a MoU with Yunus Emre Institute, Turkey, for a period of five years, under which a diploma in Turkish language was started at the School of Languages, Linguistics & Indology, MANUU, said the university adding that services of a Visiting Professor were hired for this. It is also worth mentioning that the visiting Professor from Turkey has already returned to his country, it added.

Indians boycott Turkish goods, cancel trips 

Relation with Turkiye has come under strain due to Ankara backing Islamabad and condemning Indian armed forces’ Operation Sindoor following the Pahalgam terror attack. Indians are also boycotting Turkish goods and cancelling their trips to the West Asian country with online travel platforms, such as EaseMyTrip and Ixigo, issuing advisories against visiting these nations.

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EaseMyTrip co-founder Rikant Pittie told Financial Express.com: “Recent geopolitical tensions are substantially affecting travel patterns. Cancellation rates have reached 22 per cent for Turkey and 30 per cent for Azerbaijan, with travellers increasingly choosing destinations like Georgia, Serbia, Greece, Thailand, and Vietnam.  There is a preference shift when it comes to choosing a destination. Bookings to impacted areas have halted due to post-ceasefire uncertainties, while unaffected airports and regions maintain normal operations without major disruptions.”

A MakeMyTrip spokesperson told FE: “Indian travellers have expressed strong sentiments over the past one week, with bookings for Azerbaijan and Turkey decreasing by 60 per cent, while cancellations have surged by 250 per cent during the same period. In solidarity with our nation and out of deep respect for our armed forces, we strongly support this sentiment and advise all against all non-essential travel to Azerbaijan and Turkey.”

On call to boycott travel to Turkey and Azerbaijan, Farhan, Director Sales, DMC Wale, a travel agency, told ANI: “In the Indian market, this was the season for visiting Turkey. We had very good bookings for Turkey. For the months of May, June and July, we had more than 200 bookings, out of which 80 per cent have been cancelled. It is our decision that we will not promote the country which is not standing with us at the moment. We have not received any notification from the government; it is our decision. We used to have 70-80 bookings every month, but we have zero bookings. We only have cancellations now…”

Unbothered by India’s ‘Boycott Turkey’ trend, Erdogan has pledged unwavering support to ‘brotherly Pakistan’.

“The brotherhood between Türkiye and Pakistan, which is enjoyed by very few nations in the world, is one of the best examples of true friendship. As Türkiye, we attach great importance to the peace, tranquility and stability of Pakistan. We appreciate the sensible, patient policy of the Pakistani state, which prioritizes dialogue and compromise in resolving disputes,” Turkiye president said.

Furthermore, Erdogan promised to stay by Pakistan’s side in “good and bad times, as we have in the past and in the future.” He added: “Through you, I greet our friendly and brotherly Pakistan with my most heartfelt affection.”

Reading out citation while giving the degree to Erdogan, then Jamia Vice Chancellor Professor Talat Ahmad highlighted about Indo-Turkish relations. Jamia’s relation with Turkiye cannot be ignored.

Historical foundations of Jamia Turkiye cooperation

Some of the legendary founders of the university, like Dr MA Ansari, were among those who led the Indian Medical Mission to Turkey to treat Ottoman soldiers wounded in the 1912–13 Balkan Wars — marking the beginning of Jamia Turkiye relations.

Receiving the degree then, President Erdogan cited the commonness and familiarity between the Indian and Turkish cultures and said “culture and education” were potential areas which could take the relationship between both countries to the next level.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Ahmad had urged the President to support the university in research and teaching in Earthquake Risk Management for which some Turkish universities are internationally known.

The Special Convocation was attended among others by a 90-member strong Turkish delegation accompanying the President, Turkish Ambassador to India, Shakir Ozkan Torunlar, Saudi Ambassador Saud Mohammad Al-Sati, officials of the Ministry of External Affairs, Heads of various Diplomatic Missions in Delhi, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Prof Shahid Ashraf, OSD to VC Prof Sharfuddin Ahmad, Deans, Heads, Directors, faculty members and students of Jamia, a university statement issued by Prof Saima Saeed, Hony Deputy Media Coordinator had said then.

Following May 15 development, future of Jamia Turkiye collaboration remains uncertain.