‘Not Turkey Or Azerbaijan’: Marico Chief Tells Which Country Is Greater Threat To India

Last Updated:May 28, 2025, 15:11 IST

"China poses a constant threat to our country and therefore, must be viewed in the same, in fact, even stronger light than Turkey and Azerbaijan," says Harsh Mariwala

Both Turkey and Azerbaijan stood by Pakistan when the India-Pakistan tensions escalated.

Amid the India-Pakistan tension, Harsh Mariwala, chairman of Marico Limited, said that China poses a greater threat to India, compared to Turkey and Azerbaijan.

“The current situation between India and Pakistan has resulted in growing support for a boycott of goods and travel to Turkey and Azerbaijan. And rightly so," Mariwala said on X.

Indian trade leaders and tourists have taken a stance against Turkey and Azerbaijan, taking note of their open support to Pakistan after India’s Operation Sindoor on terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in the aftermath of April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.

“It is also important that we maintain consistency and apply long-term thinking. However, we cannot be selective. China’s strong support of Pakistan is well documented, both economically as well as militarily, and will have far reaching consequences for India’s security and sovereignty," he said on X.

“This then, raises an extremely vital question – “ Are we applying our boycotts equally across the board or being selective?" China poses a far greater and constant threat to our country and therefore, must be viewed in the same, in fact, even stronger light than Turkey and Azerbaijan," said Mairwala.

THE BOYCOTT

Traders in India decided to boycott trade and tourism with Turkey and Azerbaijan in a meeting of the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) in New Delhi on May 16.

While India’s trade ties with the two countries have already come under scrutiny, multiple educational institutions, including Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), have either suspended their collaboration with universities in Turkiye or are considering it.

With the development, visits of Indian tourists, hosting of destination weddings and shooting of Indian films are also likely to significantly drop in Turkiye and Azerbaijan in the coming days as the government may discourage people from going to the two countries.

Additionally, the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) and All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) on Wednesday appealed to Indian artists and producers to boycott Turkiye as a shooting destination for its pro-Pakistan stance.

According to estimates, about three lakh Indian tourists visited Turkiye in 2023 and over two lakh to Azerbaijan. India’s exports to Turkiye stood at USD 5.2 billion during April-February 2024-25 as against USD 6.65 billion in 2023-24.

In response to Turkey’s anti-India statements, the Indian government decided to revoke security clearance for Celebi Ground Handling India Private Limited, a Turkish firm operating at nine major airports, amid national security concerns. Trade leaders also welcomed the Indian government’s recent decision to revoke security clearance for Celebi Ground Handling India Private Limited, a Turkish firm operating at nine major airports, citing national security concerns.

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