JNU Suspends MoU With Turkey’s Inonu University Over National Security Concerns
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has suspended its MoU with Turkey’s Inonu University, citing national security concerns amid rising tensions over Turkey’s backing of Pakistan.
In a sharp move reflecting India’s current geopolitical stance, JNU announced on Tuesday that it is suspending its academic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Inonu University, located in Türkiye. The university said the decision was guided by “national security considerations” and aligned with the Government of India’s broader foreign policy outlook.
“Due to National Security considerations, the MoU between JNU and Inonu University, Türkiye stands suspended until further notice. JNU stands with the Nation,” JNU said in a post on X.
The announcement came amidst a wave of calls across India urging severance of institutional and cultural ties with Turkey and Azerbaijan for allegedly backing Pakistan’s recent actions, including the use of Turkish drones in support of terrorists during Operation Sindoor.
The move by JNU follows a broader pattern of protest within civil society and strategic circles. Travel site MakeMyTrip recently discouraged travel bookings to Turkey and Azerbaijan, framing it as a “patriotic gesture.” Influential think tanks and strategic commentators have also recommended reassessing bilateral ties with countries that openly or covertly support Pakistan’s actions.
The pressure mounted following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam and subsequent Operation Sindoor, in which Turkish-manufactured UAVs were allegedly used by Pakistani forces to counter Indian military operations.
JNU, known for its academic excellence and global collaborations, has active MoUs with universities across the world. These agreements typically facilitate research partnerships, student exchange programs, and collaborative projects. However, the university has occasionally reviewed these relationships in the light of India’s national interest.
This is not the first time JNU has taken a strong stance on foreign partnerships in the context of geopolitical sensitivities. Its latest move is consistent with its positioning as a publicly funded institution aligned with national priorities.
India’s ties with Turkey have cooled in recent years, especially after Ankara repeatedly backed Islamabad on Kashmir at international platforms. The recent refusal by Turkey to condemn Pakistan’s involvement in cross-border terrorism and its military support to Islamabad has further strained relations.
In the wake of Operation Sindoor, which neutralised terror launchpads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, both Turkey and Azerbaijan have drawn ire for what Indian officials describe as “strategic complicity.”
The suspension of the MoU is being seen as a message to other academic institutions to reconsider foreign ties that could potentially conflict with India’s security or diplomatic interests.
