Islamabad: Operation Sindoor had exposed the reality of Pakistan to the whole world. India had wreaked such havoc on the hideouts of terrorists thriving in Pakistan that even Azhar Masood started praying for his death. After this operation, Pakistan showed brutality and targeted innocent citizens of India, in which it also took the help of its ‘friends’. Now the people of India are punishing these same friends. Looking at the situation that has emerged between the two countries recently, it is clear how friendship with Pakistan has become a ‘curse’ for them.
How to become a partner in Pakistan’s ‘sin’?
Operation Sindoor was launched in May, in response to the Pahalgam attack in April. In Pahalgam, Pakistani terrorists shot 26 tourists after asking them by name. After which India selectively destroyed terrorist hideouts in Pakistan. More than 100 terrorists were killed in this operation. In a fit of rage, Pakistan showed its true identity and launched drone and missile attacks on innocent citizens of India.
During this period, Turkey had supplied drones to Pakistan with which Indian cities were attacked. Azerbaijan had also supported Pakistan and publicly ‘condemned’ India’s Operation Vermillion air strikes.
This is the condition of tourism in Turkey and Azerbaijan
After the war that lasted from 7 to 10 May, Pakistan surrendered and the DGMO requested for ceasefire. Whatever happened to Pakistan happened, but in trying to maintain friendship with this country, Türkiye and Azerbaijan shot themselves in the foot. After this act, citizens of India started boycotting travel in both the countries. This anger of Indian tourists was also seen on digital travel portals like MakeMyTrip and EaseMyTrip.
As a result, between June and August this year, the number of Indians visiting Azerbaijan fell by 70% compared to the same period last year, while travel to Turkey fell by 38%.
Only 20,631 Indians traveled to Azerbaijan between June and August 2025, compared to 69,576 Indians during the same three months in 2024.
June 2025: 9,934 (vs June 2024: 28,315)
July 2025: 4,665 (vs July 2024: 20,124)
August 2025: 6,032 (vs August 2024: 21,137)
The total number of tourists has declined by more than 49,000 in three months.
Türkiye’s eyes also turned to stone waiting for Indian tourists. The number of Indian tourists declined from 93,963 last year to 58,544 this year, which is a decline of 38%.
June 2025: 24,250 (vs June 2024: 38,307 last year)
July 2025: 16,825 (vs July 2024: 28,875)
August 2025: 17,649 (vs August 2024: 26,781)
