New Delhi: In a striking reversal of its earlier hardline stance, the Indian government has given its go ahead to new leasing agreements between the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Turkish airlines, barely three months after imposing stringent scrutiny on bilateral aviation ties.
The move, detailed in a recent DGCA decision on Friday (August 29, 2025) extends IndiGo’s wet lease of two Boeing 777 aircraft from Turkish Airlines until February 28, 2026—a decision that has reignited debates over India’s foreign policy consistency under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration.
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A Sudden Shift in Policy
The U-turn comes as a surprise given the government’s tough rhetoric earlier this year. In May this year, following Turkey’s vocal support for Pakistan and its critical remarks on India’s Kashmir policy—highlighted by a Moneycontrol report on May 15—New Delhi had signaled a reevaluation of billion-dollar aviation deals with Turkish entities. The DGCA had then granted IndiGo a final three-month extension until August 31, 2025 with a clear directive against further extensions, citing geopolitical tensions and security concerns. Yet, the latest approval, allowing IndiGo to retain the aircraft for an additional six months, suggests a pragmatic pivot, driven by economic imperatives rather than ideological rigidity.
The decision coincides with a reported 15% surge in India-Turkey trade in 2025 (UN Comtrade data), underscoring the economic stakes involved. Industry sources indicate that the extension will enable IndiGo to maintain its lucrative Istanbul routes, a critical link in its expanding international network, amid a global aviation shortage of wide-body aircraft.
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Contrasting Earlier Stance
This softening stance starkly contrasts with the Modi government’s assertive foreign policy posture since 2014, which has often emphasized national security and strategic autonomy. The 2020 Galwan Valley clash with China and subsequent calls for boycotting Chinese goods had set a precedent for leveraging economic tools to address geopolitical disputes. Similarly, Turkey’s alignment with Pakistan—exacerbated by its condemnation of India’s anti-terror operations—had fueled a nationalist backlash, with social media campaigns and political rhetoric amplifying the “boycott Turkish products” narrative.
Veteran journalist Rajdeep Sardesai, in a post on X, sarcastically noted this shift, pointing to a pattern of “U-turn pe U-turn” in dealings with Turkey, China and even Pakistan in cricket diplomacy. He highlighted how the government’s earlier tough talk—echoed by ruling party supporters—has quietly given way to business-as-usual, raising questions about the sustainability of its foreign policy framework.
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Experts Weigh In
Aviation industry experts have offered varied perspectives on this development. Captain Mohan Ranganathan, a former IndiGo pilot and aviation consultant cited by The Economic Times on August 30, 2025, emphasized the practical necessity behind the decision. “The global shortage of wide-body aircraft, coupled with IndiGo’s aggressive expansion plans, leaves little room for ideological posturing. This extension ensures operational continuity and mitigates financial losses, which could have been significant if the lease was terminated abruptly,” he noted. Ranganathan added that the conditional nature of the approval—requiring IndiGo to seek alternatives by February 2026—reflects a strategic balancing act.
Conversely, Jitendra Bhargava, former Executive Director of Air India and a commentator for Business Standard, expressed concern over the long-term implications. “While the move addresses immediate operational needs, it sends mixed signals to the aviation industry and India’s geopolitical partners. The reliance on Turkish Airlines, despite past tensions, underscores the lack of domestic MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul) capacity. This is a wake-up call for India to bolster its own aviation infrastructure,” he warned, suggesting that the government’s decision might be a short-term fix rather than a sustainable solution.
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Critics Question Credibility
Opposition leaders and analysts have seized on the development to question the government’s credibility. Ashok Shekhawat, another X user, labeled the policy shift a “shame,” arguing that it undermines India’s earlier commitments. Political commentator GVK suggested that the move reflects a dilution of promises, such as the assurance that “sacrifices of our Jawans will not go to waste” post-Galwan, as India re-engages with adversaries through back channels.
Defenders, however, argue that diplomacy inherently involves flexibility. Raghav Vatsa, in a rebuttal on X, emphasized that foreign policy is “situational,” citing India’s participation in multinational cricket tournaments despite its no-bilateral stance with Pakistan. The DGCA’s conditional approval—requiring IndiGo to seek alternative arrangements by February 2026—further suggests a calculated move rather than a complete capitulation.
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Economic Realities vs. Nationalist Sentiment
The underlying driver appears to be economic pragmatism. With India’s aviation sector grappling with a global aircraft shortage—exacerbated by supply chain disruptions—leasing from Turkish Airlines offers a temporary lifeline. The decision also aligns with historical precedents, such as the 2015 pivot to strengthen US ties after the dismissal of Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh, reflecting Modi’s adaptability to global pressures (Wikipedia, 2025).
Yet, this realpolitik approach risks alienating the government’s nationalist base, which had rallied behind the anti-Turkey sentiment. Critics warn that the lack of transparency—coupled with the potential for similar reversals with China—could erode public trust. As Sardesai cautioned, questioning these shifts might invite the “anti-national” label, a charge that has historically stifled dissent.
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Looking Ahead
As India navigates this delicate balance between economic needs and geopolitical posturing, the Turkish aviation deal serves as a litmus test for Modi’s foreign policy. With the extension set to expire in six months, the government faces pressure to clarify its long-term strategy. Will this U-turn prove a one-off adjustment, or a harbinger of broader shifts in India’s stance toward contentious neighbors? For now, the silence from official channels—amid a flurry of social media reactions—leaves more questions than answers.
