Turkiye's support to Pakistan angers India, New Delhi cancels security clearance of Turkish firm
The Indian government has revoked
the security clearance of Celebi Airport Services India, a subsidiary of
Turkey’s Celebi Aviation Holding, citing national security concerns, according
to an official order issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation on Thursday.
The move follows growing domestic
pressure on the government and rising public anger after Turkey and Azerbaijan
publicly supported Pakistan during its recent military standoff with India.
Celebi, which provides ground
handling services at nine major Indian airports including Delhi, Mumbai, and
Bengaluru, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Delhi International Airport said it
has severed ties with Celebi and is working with alternate service providers
AISATS and Brid Group to ensure continuity of ground operations.
Deputy Civil Aviation Minister
Murlidhar Mohol confirmed the revocation, stating that the ministry acted in
response to nationwide appeals to ban Celebi over national security concerns.
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“Recognising the seriousness of the issue and the call to protect national interests, we have taken cognisance of these requests and the Ministry of Civil Aviation has revoked security clearance of the said company,” Mr. Mohol wrote on social media platform X.
The decision also follows protests
earlier this week by the Shiv Sena, a key ally in Prime Minister Narendra
Modi’s coalition, outside Mumbai airport demanding a ban on the Turkish firm.
Tensions between India and Pakistan
escalated last week after New Delhi launched airstrikes on what it described as
“terrorist camps” in Pakistan. The strikes were in retaliation for an April
attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 26 soldiers. Islamabad denied
involvement. Both sides exchanged missile and drone attacks before agreeing to
a truce on May 10.
In the aftermath, Turkey and
Azerbaijan—popular travel destinations for Indian tourists—issued statements
backing Pakistan. The support prompted a wave of trip cancellations by Indian
travelers, according to online travel agencies.
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As diplomatic fallout continued, New Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) also announced it had suspended its academic memorandum of understanding with Inonu University in Turkey due to national security concerns.
Meanwhile, in an unrelated move,
Adani Airport Holdings disclosed it has terminated its partnership with Chinese
lounge service provider DragonPass, but did not provide a reason for the
decision.
Source: Reuters