India Revokes Security Clearance of Turkey-Based Celebi Aviation Over Pro-Pakistan Stand
In a significant move, the Government of India has revoked the security clearance of Turkey-based Celebi Airport Services India, citing Turkey’s open support to Pakistan as the primary reason. The decision follows growing concerns over Turkey’s increasing military cooperation with Pakistan, particularly during India’s counter-terror operations under Operation Sindhu.
During this operation, Pakistan launched over 500 drones targeting key Indian airbases within a span of two days. Indian security forces effectively intercepted and neutralized all the drones mid-air. Investigations revealed that the drones used by Pakistan were manufactured in Turkey by Baykar Defense, a company owned by Selçuk Bayraktar, the son-in-law of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Baykar Defense is known for developing sophisticated unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and the revelation brought to light the deepening military ties between Turkey and Pakistan. Adding to the concern, Celebi Aviation is reportedly owned by Sumeyye Bayraktar, daughter of President Erdoğan and wife of Selçuk Bayraktar, though the company has denied these allegations.
In protest against Turkey’s pro-Pakistan stance, Indian citizens have launched a widespread boycott campaign. The hashtag #BoycottTurkey trended across social media platforms. Indian tourists began avoiding Turkey, labeling it a “betraying nation”, and traders announced a halt to marble imports from Turkey. The film industry and academia followed suit, canceling contracts and collaborations with Turkish entities.
Given these developments, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) of India swiftly revoked the security clearance granted to Celebi Airport Services. The company had been operating ground-handling services for over 15 years across nine major Indian airports, including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Goa, Kannur, Kochi, and Ahmedabad.
Celebi’s services involved managing passenger boarding, aircraft handling, cargo loading/unloading, and support for general aviation operations. With the revocation, all these operations are now under close review.
Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu stated that national security and public safety take precedence over all business interests. He assured that all efforts are being made to ensure uninterrupted passenger and cargo operations at affected airports. The ministry is also exploring ways to retain existing employees of Celebi India to maintain operational continuity.
This move reflects India’s firm stance on national integrity and strategic autonomy, particularly against entities perceived to be compromising the country’s security through indirect support to hostile neighbors. Furthermore, this action may impact other Turkish firms operating in India, as the government evaluates broader diplomatic and commercial relations with Turkey.
In conclusion, India’s decision to revoke Celebi’s security clearance sends a strong message to nations and corporations: India will not tolerate any direct or indirect threats to its sovereignty and security.
