Ajmer, Rajasthan: While the tension between India and Pakistan may have reduced, its ripple effects are still being felt across the country. In Ajmer, Rajasthan, a complete ban has been imposed on the import of apples and kiwis from Turkey. Arjun, an apple trader from Ajmer, shared, “After the India-Pakistan tensions, there has been a complete ban on the import of apples and kiwis from Turkey.”
Arjun further explained, “No other fruits from Turkey will be allowed either. Instead of Turkish apples, people are now purchasing Kashmiri apples. This shift came after Turkey sided with Pakistan, and marble and fruit traders have severed their business ties with Turkey.”
#WATCH | Ajmer, Rajasthan: An apple trader, Arjun says "After India-Pakistan tensions, apples and kiwis coming from there are completely banned here. Any other fruit coming from Turkey will also be banned. In place of Turkey apples, people are buying Kashmiri apples…Turkey has… https://t.co/KUwqvO5WOD pic.twitter.com/T2EUGQGBAz
— ANI (@ANI) May 17, 2025
Why the Anger Towards Turkey?
The frustration with Turkey stems from its firm support for Pakistan during the heightened India-Pakistan tensions. This support manifested in several forms, including phone conversations between Turkish President Recep Tayyip ErdoÄŸan and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the supply of drones and weapons to Pakistan, and backing Pakistan’s stance on the Kashmir issue. Turkey condemned India’s ‘Operation Sindoor’ and supported international investigations into the terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir.
Turkey and Pakistan share deep historical, cultural, and religious ties. Both nations are predominantly Muslim, and Turkey views Pakistan as a significant military and nuclear power within the Islamic world. Turkish President ErdoÄŸan’s ambition is to establish leadership in the Muslim world and enhance the legacy of the former Ottoman Empire, with Pakistan playing a crucial role in this strategy.
Turkey has consistently backed Pakistan on the Kashmir issue. ErdoÄŸan has criticized India’s policies in Kashmir, aligning them more with Pakistan’s position. Relations between Turkey and India have soured in recent years, particularly due to Turkey’s anti-India rhetoric and its stance on Kashmir. Additionally, India’s growing ties with other countries such as Israel and Greece have brought Turkey closer to Pakistan.
This growing tension is not only impacting diplomatic relations but also affecting trade, as seen in Ajmer’s decision to stop the import of Turkish fruits. The long-standing political friction between Turkey and India has now made its way into the commercial sector, demonstrating the broader implications of international conflicts on local markets.
