In a decisive decision reflecting current geopolitical tensions, the main Indian travel agencies, Laasemytrip and Cox & Kings, announced the suspension of all travel packages in Turkey and Azerbaijan. This action comes in response to recent expressions of support for these nations in Pakistan in the middle of the India-Pakistan conflict. The decision means a broader trend among Indian companies aligning the national feeling against countries perceived to support contradictory positions.
The decision of Cox & Kings to stop travel services followed public support from Turkey and Azerbaijan in Pakistan after the military operation of India, Operation Sindoor, against terrorist facilities in Pakistan and cashmere occupied by Pakistan. “In the light of recent developments, we have decided to suspend all the new travel offers in Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan and Turkey. This decision is motivated by our commitment to maintain the principles that count deeply for us and the inhabitants of our country,” said the director of Cox & Kings, Karan Agarwal. He also urged Indian travelers to be cautious during the examination of travel to these destinations, pending the clarity of geopolitical dynamics.
Nishant Pitti, founder and president of Merdemytrip, echoed similar concerns, highlighting the safety of travelers in priority in the middle of these tensions. “Deeply concerned about recent developments. In the season, travelers’ security is our top priority. We advise all our customers to be cautious and stay up to date on official travel opinions before planning trips to sensitive regions,” said Pitti. This position reflects a broader response of the industry, where companies wish to ensure that their operations inadvertently support the unfavorable diplomatic positions.
Travomint also joined this movement, the CEO Alok K Singh confirming the immediate stop of travel packages in said countries. “Due to the climbing of tensions with Pakistan and countries like Turkey and Azerbaijan to support it, we, in Travomint, took a firm and responsible position. We decided to support the Call of the Indians to boycott Turkey and Azerbaijan. With an immediate effect, Travomint has suspended the sale of all the travel packages to these countries.
Ankara has always supported Pakistan’s position on the cashmere issue. After a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in February 2025, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan pleaded for a dialogue not mediated by cashmere.
On Friday, at the MEA press conference on Friday, the Indian government revealed that the Pakistani army had violated Indian airspace several times in the night of May 7 and 8 on the entire Western border. The intention behind these violations was to target military infrastructure. Indian armed forces are currently analyzing drones used in incursions. According to the first reports, drones were identified as Turkey drones, as indicated by Colonel Sofiya Qureshi.
Before Operation Sindoor, the former Indian Foreign Affairs, Kanwal Sibal, proposed the suspension of thefts between India and Turkey following six Turkish military planes landing in Pakistan with cargo. This development has aroused significant dissatisfaction among Indian strategic experts and commentators, in particular in the light of the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam which led to the loss of 26 innocent lives.
Sibal’s remarks occurred in the midst of increasing concerns concerning Turkey’s defense ties with Pakistan. “We can consider suspending our flights to Turkey and Turkish flights to India for the moment,” he wrote. Many defense experts have noted the reported landing of six Turkish transport aircraft C-130 Hercules in Pakistan.
According to the Safety Sareen security analyst, there is a notable trend emerging in regional alliances. He observed that the allies and adversaries of India are becoming more and more defined, China, Turkey and Azerbaijan aligning against India.
Sareen wrote: “The friends and the enemies of India identify themselves. China, Turkey, Azerbaijan are clearly on the side of Paki. Ideally, there should be costs to do so, but India will reward them with larger trade agreements and defense contracts; Israel is probably the only country with India.”
