IIT Bombay Suspends Agreements with Turkish Universities Amid Geopolitical Tensions

IIT Bombay joins a growing list of Indian institutions, including JNU, LPU, IIT Roorkee, and Jamia Millia Islamia, in severing academic ties with Turkish universities, signaling a unified stand for national security over international collaboration in a tense geopolitical climate.

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay has announced the suspension of all academic agreements with Turkish universities, citing the “current geopolitical situation involving Turkey.

The decision, shared via the institute’s official X handle (@iitbombay), aligns with a growing trend among Indian universities to sever academic ties with Turkish institutions over national security concerns and geopolitical tensions.

The institute emphasized that the suspension will remain in effect “until further notice,” reflecting a cautious approach amid strained India-Turkey relations. While the exact nature of the geopolitical situation was not specified in the announcement, the decision follows a pattern of similar actions by other Indian universities, pointing to broader concerns about Turkey’s foreign policy, particularly its pro-Pakistan stance and alleged support for terrorism-related networks.

A Wider Trend Among Indian Universities

IIT Bombay is not alone in this decision. Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Lovely Professional University (LPU), and IIT Roorkee have also recently terminated or suspended their Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Turkish institutions, citing national security and interest.

JNU’s Suspension of MoU with Inonu University: On May 14, 2025, JNU suspended its MoU with Turkey’s Inonu University in Malatya, as reported by The Indian Express and Shiksha.com. The agreement, signed on February 3 for a three-year term, aimed to foster cross-cultural research and student exchange through JNU’s School of Language, Literature and Culture Studies and School of Computer and Systems Sciences. JNU’s statement on X read, “Due to National Security considerations, the MoU between JNU and Inonu University, Turkiye stands suspended until further notice. JNU stands with the Nation. #NationFirst.” Vice-Chancellor Prof. Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit added, “JNU has suspended the MoU due to national security considerations, as JNU stands with the nation and the Armed Forces, many of whom are JNU alumni.” The decision comes against the backdrop of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, with Turkey’s alignment with Pakistan likely contributing to the move.

LPU Terminates Ties with Turkey and Azerbaijan: On May 17, 2025, Lovely Professional University (LPU) terminated all MoUs with institutions in Turkey and Azerbaijan. LPU’s founder chancellor, Ashok Kumar Mittal, a Rajya Sabha member, stated, “The move comes in response to the pro-Pakistan stance of Turkey and Azerbaijan,” highlighting concerns over these countries’ geopolitical positions that are perceived as contrary to India’s national interest.

IIT Roorkee Cancels MoU with Inonu University: IIT Roorkee followed suit on May 16, 2025, canceling its MoU with Inonu University. The institute cited “national interest” as the primary reason, emphasizing that international partnerships must align with India’s broader objectives in research and innovation. IIT Roorkee’s statement noted, “Such partnerships must support India’s broader objectives in research and innovation,” reflecting a strategic shift in its approach to global academic collaborations. This decision came shortly after similar actions by JNU and Jamia Millia Islamia, which also severed ties with Turkish institutions earlier that week.

Geopolitical Context and Public Reactions

The decisions by these universities are rooted in escalating geopolitical tensions, particularly Turkey’s perceived support for Pakistan, a long-standing adversary of India. As per reports, Pakistan has used Turkish drones on a large scale during military conflicts with India, a point of contention that has likely influenced these academic suspensions.

Read More:

• LPU Terminates MoUs with Türkiye and Azerbaijan, Cites National Security Concerns
• IIT Roorkee Cancels MoU with Türkiye’s Inonu University Over National Security Concerns; JNU, Jamia Also Terminate Ties