Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan has broken his silence on the ‘Boycott Turkey’ campaign trending across India, issuing a detailed clarification regarding his past meetings with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and First Lady Emine Erdoğan. The actor’s comments come in the wake of mounting criticism from right-wing groups over resurfaced photos and renewed diplomatic tensions between India and Turkey.
The controversy reignited following Turkey’s vocal support for Pakistan during India’s recent military operation, dubbed Operation Sindoor. In response to Turkey and Azerbaijan’s condemnation of the operation, Indian social media has seen an upsurge in calls to boycott Turkish products, tourism, and trade.
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Appearing on the television programme Aap Ki Adalat, Aamir Khan addressed the backlash, stating that the photos circulating online date back to 2017 and 2020, well before the current geopolitical climate. “I met them as an artist, not as a politician,” he explained. “When a host invites you for tea, it doesn’t seem appropriate to refuse.”
Khan emphasized that these engagements were strictly cultural and non-political, meant to represent India’s artistic presence on the global stage.
“As an artist, I represent India abroad. That’s the spirit in which those meetings took place,” he said.
Criticism Against Turkey’s Support for Pakistan
Expressing his disappointment over Turkey’s recent alignment with Pakistan, especially in the alleged use of Turkish combat drones during retaliatory strikes, Khan supported the ongoing boycott campaign.
“People made the absolutely right decision,” he said. “We should not support Turkey in any way. They sided with Pakistan when we were attacked, even though we had helped them first. Is that justice?”
He added that India’s humanitarian assistance during Turkey’s 2023 earthquake came without expectations, making Turkey’s later actions all the more hurtful.
The political fallout has had real-world consequences. Indian traders have initiated a boycott of Turkish imports including apples, marble, and textiles. Travel agents also report cancellations of trips to Turkey, affecting bilateral tourism and commerce.
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Message Against Religious Polarisation
During his appearance, Aamir Khan also touched on the broader issue of communal polarisation in India. Condemning mob violence and religious profiling, he warned against turning communities against one another.
“You are shooting at people by questioning their religion. What does this mean? I could have been there, you could have been there.”
He concluded with a message of unity, stressing the importance of national interest over political or religious division.
“We extended friendship during their time of need, and in return, they supported those who attack us. Bahut hi galat baat hai. We should not support Turkey at all.”
