Harsh Mariwala, chairman of Marico Limited, highlighted that China represents a more significant threat to India than Turkey and Azerbaijan, particularly in the context of the ongoing India-Pakistan conflict. He stressed the importance of maintaining a consistent and long-term perspective amidst the rising calls for boycotts.
Mariwala noted, “The current tensions between India and Pakistan have led to increased support for boycotting goods and travel to Turkey and Azerbaijan, and this is understandable. However, it is crucial that we remain consistent and adopt a long-term approach.” He emphasized that India’s security and sovereignty should guide our actions, rather than selective responses.
He remarked, “However, we cannot be selective.”
Following Operation Sindoor on May 7, Pakistan is working to enhance its offensive and surveillance capabilities by acquiring advanced Chinese-made drones, surveillance systems, and rocket launchers. Amid rising tensions between the two neighboring nations and China's enduring support for Pakistan, he noted, “China’s robust backing of Pakistan is well-documented, both economically and militarily, and will have significant implications for India’s security and sovereignty. This brings up a crucial question: “Are we enforcing our boycotts uniformly, or are we being selective?”
"China represents a more significant and ongoing threat."
Emphasizing China's robust support for Pakistan, Harsh Mariwala stated, "China poses a much greater and persistent threat to our nation and should be regarded with even more concern than Turkey and Azerbaijan." This statement follows the recent public alignment of Turkey and Azerbaijan with Pakistan and comes in the wake of leading trade figures' expressions of economic nationalism, who collectively chose to boycott goods and all forms of commercial, travel, and cultural interactions with these two countries.
A pivotal decision was reached during a national conference of traders in New Delhi on May 16, where top Indian trade leaders viewed Turkey and Azerbaijan's support for Pakistan as a betrayal. In light of Turkey's anti-India remarks, the Indian government opted to revoke the security clearance for Celebi Ground Handling India Private Limited, a Turkish company operating at nine major airports, due to national security concerns. Trade leaders expressed their approval of this move by the Indian government.
