India-Pakistan conflict: Traders in Udaipur, Pune push for ban on Turkish imports | Udaipur News
UDAIPUR/PUNE: In a move driven by national sentiment following revelations about the origin of drones used against India, marble traders from Udaipur, Rajasthan — considered the country’s marble capital — have called on the central government to ban imports from Turkey.The appeal comes in the wake of reports shared during Operation Sindoor, which revealed that Turkish-made Asisguard Songar drones were deployed by Pakistan in the recent attack.The Udaipur Marble Processors Association has already halted imports from Turkey on its own and urged similar action nationwide. In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, they requested formal sanctions, especially targeting marble imports.“We fully support the historic decisions he has taken in the last few days,” said association president Kapil Surana, referring to the Indian response to the Pahalgam terror attack.Backing the government’s stand, Hitesh Patel, general secretary of the association, added, “We feel that business and industry cannot be bigger than the nation and national interest.”He further said that if trade bodies across India unite and cut off imports from Turkey, it would be a strong signal of national solidarity. “If other associations across India too decide to stop imports from Turkey, it will send a clear message to the world that Indian businesses are fully backing the government in this critical time,” he noted.The association pointed out that India imports between 14-18 lakh tonnes of marble annually, with Turkey accounting for about 70% of the supply. The trade is estimated to be worth Rs 2,500 to 3,000 crore, they said.Patel also suggested that the ban shouldn’t be limited to marble alone, hinting that broader restrictions on Turkish products could follow in light of the country’s alleged military links with Pakistan.The Udaipur-based association has over 125 members, most of whom have backed the call for a complete halt on Turkish imports in solidarity with the armed forces and the national interest.No sale of Turkish apples in PuneFruit traders across Pune have completely halted the sale of Turkish apples, leaving the imported variety missing from city markets.The boycott, which gained momentum in the wake of Turkey’s perceived support for Pakistan, has also found strong support from local consumers, who are deliberately steering clear of Turkish produce and turning to apples from Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Iran and other regions.This move is expected to hit seasonal sales significantly, as Turkish apples generally contribute Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,200 crore in annual fruit market revenue in the city.“This is not just a business decision — it’s a stand in support of our armed forces and the government’s actions,” said Suyog Zende, a prominent trader at Pune’s APMC market. He confirmed that demand for Turkish apples has plummeted and that local vendors have stopped sourcing them altogether.
