Introduction
In a first of its kind development, Indian government agencies have started instituting legal and administrative actions against Turkish entities that are present in India on account of reported use of Turkish-origin drones in hostile intelligence-gathering sorties in Indian airspace. These drone sorties, traced to Pakistan’s military missions and reportedly backed by Turkish defense companies, have prompted serious reactions from Indian regulators in the interest of national security. The legal and regulatory implications indicate a strengthening of India’s position towards foreign elements perceived to pose threats to its sovereignty and security.
Background
India’s ties with Turkey have continued to remain tense over the latter’s consistent open endorsement of Pakistan in the Kashmir dispute. These were further stepped up after reports suggested that Pakistan deployed Turkish-origin drones in air surveillance activities as part of Operation Sindoor—India’s anti-terror operation in the Kashmir Valley in early 2025.
Then, Indian intelligence agencies have given inputs establishing connections between Turkish drone producers and technology exporters to these activities. These laid the ground for a sequence of government actions against Turkish commercial interests in India, including big aviation services and state-sponsored media outlets.
Key Points
- Revocation of Security Clearance of Çelebi Airport Services:The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) revoked the security clearance of Çelebi Airport Services India Pvt. Ltd., the wholly owned subsidiary of Turkish ground handling behemoth Çelebi Aviation Holding.Its operations in major Indian airports such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru have been impacted by this move. It was done on the grounds of intelligence reports indicating threats to national security, with Çelebi being accused of indirect connections to Turkish state organs.
- Judicial Review and Response of the Company: Çelebi went to the Delhi High Court against the cancellation, arguing that the action was arbitrary and not in accordance with due process.It also argued that it was a privately owned company with no stakes in geopolitical affairs. The Indian government, however, filed an affidavit in its defense, stating that it made the move based on reasonable intelligence inputs and that the state has a superior interest in safeguarding national security.
- Ban on Turkish Media and Imports: The Indian access to the X (formerly Twitter) account of Turkish state broadcaster TRT World was blocked by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for supposedly spreading anti-India propaganda.Concurrently, multiple trade associations in cities such as Udaipur and Pune called for a boycott of Turkish imports on grounds of national interest and economic self-sufficiency.
- Customs and Trade Inspection of Turkish Products:The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) are said to have started inspecting Turkish-origin imports, especially in defense, aviation, and electronics sectors, to scrutinize for dual-use items which may have been diverted for military use.
Recent Developments
The issue is pending before the Delhi High Court, where the government’s full reasoning has been requested and whether the intelligence used can be inspected in camera to balance the rights of the company against national security concerns. Other Turkish firms, in turn, have already reportedly begun conducting in-house risk analyses on their Indian operations.
Meanwhile, India’s Ministry of External Affairs has indicated that future bilateral relations with Turkey would be evaluated based on Ankara’s position on India’s domestic and territorial affairs.
Conclusion
The drone attack and the subsequent backlash represent a turning point, both geo politically and legally. India sends a message: economic engagement will not protect foreign players from accountability if their host governments adopt aggressive positions. The legal ramifications for Turkish players reflect the increasing attention being paid to national security as a motivator of trade and investment decisions.Indian courts will need to walk a thin line between the need to provide procedural justice to affected firms and the protection of the state’s sovereign right to retaliate strongly against legitimate security threats. This incident sets a precedent for future conflicts between foreign players and national security systems in India.
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WRITTEN BY ADI MEHTA
