NEW DELHI — Amid a recent military flare-up with Pakistan, India appears to be retaliating diplomatically and economically against countries seen as siding with Islamabad, including Türkiye and Azerbaijan, as it faces growing international isolation over the conflict.
In the aftermath of what analysts have called a diplomatic setback — with even US President Donald Trump reiterating the India-Pakistan dispute as a bilateral issue where the US could mediate — the Modi government and its allies have begun targeting states perceived to be sympathetic to Pakistan.
Among the latest measures, ground handling contracts at Mumbai and Ahmedabad airports—operated by the Adani Group—have been terminated with Çelebi Aviation, a Turkish firm based in Istanbul. In addition, Air India is reportedly urging the Indian government to cancel the wet lease agreement between IndiGo Airlines and Turkish Airlines.
Citing unnamed officials, The Indian Express reported that the two airports had asked Çelebi to immediately hand over all ground handling operations to ensure uninterrupted service, marking a significant blow to Turkish business interests in India. A similar move was announced earlier by Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL), ending Çelebi’s role in cargo and ground services at Indira Gandhi International Airport.
Airport authorities assured airlines that ground handling operations would continue seamlessly, and all current Çelebi employees at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) and Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA) would be transferred to new service providers under existing terms.
Meanwhile, the domestic political fallout over the military tensions has taken an ugly turn. Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, a Muslim army officer who served as a spokesperson during the operation, has come under personal attacks from BJP leaders, with one minister from Madhya Pradesh calling her a “sister of terrorists.” The remarks prompted a high court order for an FIR against the minister, Vijay Shah.
Adding to the controversy, Madhya Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Jagdish Devda sparked outrage by claiming at a civil defence event in Jabalpur that “the army bows down at Prime Minister Modi’s feet.” The statement triggered widespread criticism, with the opposition Congress Party accusing the BJP of repeatedly insulting the armed forces for political gain.
Congress leaders, including Jairam Ramesh, slammed the government, calling the rhetoric a sign of a “diseased mindset.” Prominent political figures such as Sachin Pilot, Y.S. Sharmila, Harish Rawat, Mayawati, and Trinamool MP Sagarika Ghosh echoed similar concerns, demanding apologies and accountability. Congress workers lodged police complaints across multiple cities and staged protests over the disparaging remarks.
While China offered clear diplomatic backing to Pakistan during the escalation, India’s global support remained limited. Israel was the only country to express unambiguous solidarity with New Delhi, as most nations either remained neutral or emphasized de-escalation — often referring to the issue as a bilateral conflict.
The evolving situation highlights India’s diplomatic challenges as it contends with both external isolation and internal political controversies amid rising regional tensions.
