India’s marble hub in Udaipur, Rajasthan, is loud and clear in its voice against Türkiye after the latter’s support to Pakistan in the India-Pakistan clash that erupted post the deadly Pahalgam attack. The Udaipur Marble Processors Association has now called for a total ban on imports from Türkiye – which is India’s largest supplier of marble – after reports emerged of the Turkish Asisguard Songar drones being used by Pakistan in its military stand-off with India.
“We have written to the Prime Minister, asking for a ban on Turkish marble. Business cannot be bigger than the nation,” Kapil Surana, president of the 125-member association, was quoted as saying by ANI.
“We are sending a clear message to the world: India will not tolerate any nation that backs terrorism,” added Hitesh Patel, general secretary of the Udaipur Marble Association, as quoted by ANI.
Apart from the 14-18 lakh-tonne marble imported from Türkiye annually, which is worth over Rs. 2,500-3,000 crore, India also imports apples that generate seasonal revenue to the tune of Rs. 1000-2000 crore. However, joining in the clamour for complete economic disengagement with Türkiye is Pune’s APMC market as fruit sellers in both Pune and Mumbai refuse to stock Turkish apples.
“It’s not just trade, it’s about patriotism,” says Suyog Zende, a trader at Pune’s APMC market. Sellers here have started replacing Türkiye’s apples with those from Iran, Washington, New Zealand, and locally from Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
However, the boycott has resulted in price rise, with apples’ retail prices jumping by Rs. 20-30 per kg and wholesale rates increasing by Rs. 200-300 per 10 kg carton. And with day-to-day movement of produce being hit by the recent India-Pakistan hostilities and rain-hit roads in certain places, apple availability has been further hit.
According to the latest Reserve Bank data released on Wednesday, four Indian entities committed foreign direct investments worth nearly USD 6 million in Azerbaijan and Turkiye, accounting for a small part of the total USD 6.8 billion overseas investments proposed by Indian companies in April. Tata Communications, Life Insurance Company and JSW Neo Energy were among those that helped increase India's outbound foreign direct investment (FDI) by nearly 90 per cent annually, cites the data.
India's outward (FDI) stood at about USD 3.59 billion in April 2024 and USD 5.9 billion in March 2025.
Among the investments, two Indian entities - Omega Plasto Ltd and Rama Pure Water Pvt Ltd - have committed equity investments in the 'wholesale, retail trade, restaurants and hotels' segment in Turkiye through joint ventures. Axiro Semiconductor Pvt Ltd has committed funds in Turkiye's manufacturing space through a wholly-owned subsidiary. Together, the three entities' total commitment is around USD 0.28 million, the data further states.
Against the backdrop of Turkiye and Azerbaijan condemning India's recent strikes on terror camps in Pakistan, New Delhi's trade relations with Ankara and Baku might come under strain. There are calls for a boycott of Turkish goods and tourism from certain quarters. On Wednesday, the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) too supported the boycott calls.
"Several tourism associations and industry bodies have issued statements of solidarity and collective commitment towards prioritising our national interest over commercial goals. The Indian Chamber of Commerce joins these organisations in demanding a boycott of states like Turkiye and Azerbaijan, following their stand against India’s response to terrorism," said Subhash Goyal, Chairman, Tourism Committee, ICC.
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