Indian traders, led by the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), have launched a high-profile boycott of Turkiye and Azerbaijan for supporting Pakistan during India’s Operation Sindoor, a May 7 strike on terror camps following the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 people.

However, China’s similar backing of Pakistan has drawn little trader ire, revealing a complex interplay of economic, geopolitical, and cultural factors.

Turkiye’s vocal condemnation of India’s strikes and its supply of drones to Pakistan have fueled outrage. CAIT’s boycott, halting Turkish imports like apples and marble, reflects public sentiment, amplified by Turkiye’s perceived betrayal of India’s past aid.

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Alwar’s fruit markets and Ajmer’s marble traders have joined, with CAIT urging a ban on Turkish films and tourism. Azerbaijan’s alignment with Pakistan further ties it to this backlash.

China, despite arming Pakistan and supporting its stance, faces no comparable trader backlash. India’s $120 billion trade with China, dwarfing the $900 million with Turkiye, is a key reason.

Chinese goods—electronics, pharmaceuticals, and machinery—are integral to Indian markets, making a boycott economically disruptive. In contrast, Turkish apples and marble are easily replaceable with domestic or South African alternatives.

Geopolitically, China’s nuanced diplomacy avoids Turkiye’s overt rhetoric, reducing public friction. Traders also prioritize immediate optics, with Turkiye’s Kashmir stance and military aid stoking nationalist fervor more than China’s subtler support.

This selective outrage, as some note, reflects convenience over principle, balancing national pride with economic pragmatism.

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