Indian travel companies suspend bookings to Azerbaijan and Turkey despite trade partnership

Although Turkey and Azerbaijan are important trading partners for India, both countries have expressed support for Pakistan during border clashes with India. Due to the support for Pakistan, many Indian travel platforms have urged Indians to avoid non-essential visits to Turkey and Azerbaijan. Some have even stopped accepting new bookings for the time being, India Today writes. Indian travel companies have stopped bookings to Azerbaijan and Turkey despite trade partnership.

Over the years, the trade between India and Azerbaijan has grown significantly, jumping from $50 million in 2005 to $1.435 billion in 2023. Further, India imported goods worth $1.235 billion and exported products worth $201 million to Azerbaijan, according to the official data. India shares a strong business relationship with both Turkey and Azerbaijan, with trade ties worth over $12 billion. While travel from India to these countries has grown in recent years, the current border tension between India and Pakistan could affect Indian tourists heading there.

Azerbaijan has become a key oil supplier to India. In 2023, India was the third-biggest buyer of crude oil from Azerbaijan, purchasing crude oil worth $1.227 billion.

Trade between India and Turkey has also seen steady growth in recent years.

Turkey has also invested in India, with total FDI at $227.5 million from April 2000 to December 2023. Meanwhile, Indian companies have invested around $200 million in Turkey between August 2000 and March 2024.