India-Turkey Trade Tensions Rise Over Drone Allegiances
On a day when Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reaffirmed his support for Pakistan—calling Islamabad “brotherly” and pledging military backing—India’s public and diplomatic backlash was swift. With Turkey continuing to supply drones and military aid to Pakistan, Indian sentiment has turned sharply against Turkish products and travel.
- Trade Watch: India’s trade with Turkey is modest but significant—exports totaled $5.2 billion and imports $2.84 billion during April–Feb 2024–25. However, both fell around 15–17% in FY25.
- Apple of Discord? Turkish apples could be the first victim of a growing consumer boycott.
- Travel Hit: Booking platform MakeMyTrip reported a 250% surge in cancellations for Turkey and Azerbaijan trips. New bookings dropped by 60%.
Despite calls for boycotts, IndiGo Airlines is continuing flights to Turkey under existing code-share agreements.
India’s Operation Sindoor: Tech Triumph Over Chinese Systems
India’s military superiority during Operation Sindoor is grabbing international headlines. The mission showcased indigenous drone tech that successfully jammed and bypassed Chinese air defence systems deployed by Pakistan.
- The government released new details showcasing how private sector drone innovations were pivotal.
- Even The New York Times validated India’s aerial advantage using satellite imagery.
Semiconductors: India’s Big Tech Leap
India is making aggressive moves to reduce its dependence on foreign chip supplies:
- A homegrown GPU prototype is set to debut by end-2025.
- The Cabinet approved a semiconductor unit by HCL-Foxconn in Jewar, UP, to manufacture display driver chips for mobile devices, with production beginning by 2027.
This is a critical pivot in India’s effort to become self-reliant in key tech sectors prone to global supply shocks.
Healthcare Deal Buzz: Rs 5,500 Crore and Counting
The Indian healthcare M&A space is heating up, with Temasek-led Manipal Hospitals, EQT, KKR, and IHH Healthcare advancing in the race to acquire a leading healthcare asset. Preliminary offers exceed ₹5,500 crore, with binding bids expected by mid-June.
Insider Trading Crackdown at IndusInd Bank?
IndusInd Bank’s board is mulling penalties against ex-MD Sumant Kathpalia and former Deputy CEO Arun Khurana over alleged insider trading. The SEBI may also step in, intensifying the regulatory scrutiny.
Andhra Pradesh’s Green Power Push
ReNew Power is investing ₹22,000 crore in a 2.5 GW renewable energy project in Andhra Pradesh, including 1 GWh battery storage. The groundbreaking is set for May 16 and marks one of India’s largest green energy bets.
Bhargavastra’: India’s New Anti-Drone Superweapon
India successfully tested ‘Bhargavastra’, a powerful anti-drone system with a hard kill mode to neutralize large drone swarms. This tech leap is seen as part of a broader shift in India’s counter-terror strategy.
Also read: Defence analyst Shruti Pandalai on why Operation Sindoor marks a new Modi doctrine in national security.
From geopolitical clashes and tech self-reliance to billion-dollar health deals and airspace domination, India is asserting itself across all fronts. The message is clear: global rules are being rewritten—and India intends to hold the pen.