Reliance and Myntra Halt Turkish Brand Sales Amid India-Turkey Tensions

Leading Indian fashion e-commerce platforms, including Myntra and Ajio, have temporarily suspended sales of Turkish apparel brands. This action follows increasing public pressure after Turkey voiced support for Pakistan during a recent military operation conducted by India.

Myntra, known for its strong presence in women’s western wear, has delisted all Turkish brands from its portal. This includes Trendyol, a popular brand backed by Chinese conglomerate Alibaba. Ajio, owned by Reliance Retail, has also taken similar measures, halting the sale of Turkish labels such as Koton, LC Waikiki, and Mavi, all of which now show as out of stock on its platform.

Brands Delisted Amid Escalating Diplomatic Fallout

Sources privy to internal decisions confirmed that Myntra began reducing the visibility of Turkish brands once tensions escalated. The delisting process was completed by Thursday. The company is reportedly re-evaluating its long-term brand associations, depending on how geopolitical developments unfold.

Ajio, too, has issued a statement through Reliance Retail, asserting that the company's foremost priority is national interest. It reiterated that offerings across platforms are being reviewed to ensure alignment with public sentiment. Reliance also confirmed the closure of its office in Turkey.

Trade Bodies Join the Boycott Movement

Adding to the corporate response, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has declared a complete boycott of Turkish and Azerbaijani goods. More than 125 trade leaders across India have pledged to cease all forms of trade, tourism, and commercial engagements with the two countries. CAIT cited past humanitarian support from India to both nations, calling their recent stance a "betrayal."

Read More: What India Imports from Turkey – And Why Marble and Apple Traders Want to Cut Ties. 

This trade resolution includes a blanket restriction on future import-export deals and discourages new business relationships with Turkish or Azerbaijani entities.

Growing National Response Across Industries

Public sentiment has rapidly translated into broader economic actions. In addition to e-commerce delistings and trade boycotts, the Ministry of Home Affairs has reportedly revoked the security clearance for Celebi Aviation, a Turkish ground handling service responsible for managing 70% of operations at Mumbai airport.

The cultural sector, too, is reacting. Bollywood production unions are reportedly considering informal bans on Turkish collaboration, while online travel platforms have recorded a 250% spike in cancellations for Turkey-bound trips. The Azadpur fruit market in Delhi has also stopped importing Turkish apples, further intensifying the boycott narrative.

Legacy Ties with Turkish Firms Now Under Scrutiny

Reliance Industries had previously collaborated with Turkish textile major Kıvanc Tekstil for a sustainable fabric venture. However, a company spokesperson clarified that the partnership ended long ago. The spokesperson added that Turkish clients now represent a negligible fraction of Reliance's operations and receive no preferential treatment.

Ongoing Social Media Campaigns Amplify Boycott Calls

Hashtags calling for boycotts of Turkish and Azerbaijani products have gained significant traction on Indian social media platforms over the past week. This online movement is reinforcing decisions made by businesses and trade associations.

Conclusion

Amidst this geopolitical and economic fallout, India also released its first-ever monthly employment data. The national unemployment rate stands at 5.1%. However, disparities persist, particularly among urban women. Economists have raised concerns about underemployment and the lack of formal job opportunities. The data has also sparked debate, as it differs from private research firm CMIE’s higher estimate of 7.7%.

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