India’s cotton traders suspend trade with Turkey over support to Pakistan: CAI

Cotton traders across India have halted trade with Turkey following the latter’s support to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, the Cotton Association of India (CAI) announced. In a circular to members, CAI president Atul Ganatra urged traders to support Turkey boycott, noting that the country imports substantial quantities of cotton and related materials from India. He pointed out that in 2024, Turkey's imports from India, including cotton, were valued at $74.27 million, while its exports to India reached $2.84 billion.

He further noted Turkey has a history of opposing India on international platforms. He mentioned the country has repeatedly raised the Kashmir issue and acted against India’s interests at forums such as the United Nations. Ganatra emphasized that Turkey’s continued support for Pakistan, including supplying them with military hardware, poses a challenge to India’s sovereignty and integrity. The CAI has urged all cotton traders and associated businesses to suspend trade with Turkey in a show of national solidarity. The move comes amid heightened diplomatic tensions and is expected to have an impact on trade flows, particularly in the cotton sector, where Turkey is a key importer of Indian raw materials.