JNU Suspends MoU With Turkey’s Inonu University Over Ankara's Support To Pakistan

Jawaharlal Nehru University has suspended its Memorandum of Understanding with Turkey's Inonu University, citing national security concerns. The move comes in response to Ankara's public support for Pakistan in its recent conflict with India.

Announcing the decision on its official X handle, JNU wrote, "Due to National Security considerations, the MoU between JNU and Inonu University, Türkiye stands suspended until further notice. JNU stands with the Nation."

The agreement was signed on Feb. 3, 2025, for three years. It was scheduled to continue till Feb. 2, 2028, according to JNU website.

The suspension reflects a broader shift in India’s academic and diplomatic posture as geopolitical tensions escalate.

JNU's action comes shortly after the government blocked the X accounts of Turkish news broadcaster, TRT World, for peddling propaganda and misinformation against India.

The action coincides with a growing sentiment in India favouring a boycott of Turkish products, services and tourism. Both Turkey and Azerbaijan have drawn strong backlash from Indian citizens and officials for backing Pakistan and criticising India’s military response to terror camps across the border.

Hundreds of Indian travellers are cancelling plans to visit Turkey and Azerbaijan following their support for Pakistan in its conflict with India.

India's largest online travel agency, MakeMyTrip, has seen a 250% surge in cancellations over the past week, while bookings for Azerbaijan and Turkiye dropped by 60%, according to a company spokesperson.

Ankara not only came out in support of Islamabad, Turkish drones were used by Pakistan to intrude India’s air space and attempt strikes at military and civilian sites between May 8 and May 9. The Indian government confirmed the drones shot down near the border were of Turkish origin, fuelling further anger.

The situation escalated after the foreign ministries of both Turkey and Azerbaijan publicly condemned India’s military operations in Pakistan, even as the international community largely expressed solidarity with India following the terror attack in Jammu & Kashmir’s Pahalgam.