Jamia Follows JNU in Suspending Turkey MoUs Amid Ankara’s Support for Pakistan

In a step seen as a growing concern for national security, some of India's finest universities have put academic Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with Turkish institutions on hold.

The latest to do so is Jamia Millia Islamia, which on Thursday said that all ties with any organization connected with the government of Turkey were suspended with immediate effect.

Commenting on social media platform X, Jamia said:
"On national security grounds, any Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, and any institution sponsored by the Government of the Republic of Turkiye is suspended forthwith, till further orders. Jamia Millia Islamia stands with the Nation."

This move follows the same steps taken by Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), which also recently suspended its MoU with Inonu University in Turkey. That agreement, signed in early February, had sought to advance research collaborations and student exchange programs.

JNU made its own statement citing national security concerns:

"Due to National Security considerations, the MoU between JNU and Inonu University, Turkiye stands suspended until further notice. JNU stands with the Nation."

Meanwhile, Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) in Hyderabad too has terminated its academic partnership with the Yunus Emre Institute, a Turkish cultural body, with immediate effect.

These educational withdrawals are occurring against the context of deteriorating India-Turkey diplomatic relations, with Ankara's strident support for Pakistan and criticism of India's recent anti-terror action in neighboring territory as the main driver. Turkey's enhanced strategic and defense cooperation with Pakistan also put further pressure on relations, with calls for boycotts of Turkish goods and tourism within India.

Rivals deepened after Indian defense authorities revealed the capture of Turkish-made drones in a recent mission. Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh verified that forensic analysis identified the unmanned aerial vehicles as Songar drones, which are produced by Turkish company Asisguard.

This move by Pakistan signals the deepening of defense relations between Islamabad and Ankara, a development which is now under closer scrutiny in New Delhi.

Authorities have said that the suspension of the above-referenced MoUs is part of a larger re-examination of India's institutional relationships with nations regarded as being against its national interest.