In a significant move reflecting rising nationalist sentiments, the All India Gem and Jewellery Domestic Council (GJC) has appealed to the Indian gems and jewellery industry to halt all business transactions with Turkiye and Azerbaijan. This call, made on Friday, May 16, 2025, comes in response to Turkiye’s open support for Pakistan in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor—India’s recent counter-terror initiative. In an official statement, the GJC stressed the importance of industry solidarity with national interests during sensitive geopolitical times.

Rajesh Rokde, Chairman of the GJC, stated that the Indian jewellery sector must now act with resolve by prioritizing patriotism over profit. “The Indian gem and jewellery sector stands united in support of the nation. It is imperative that our industry sets a strong example by prioritising the country over commerce,” he said. Rokde emphasized that every stakeholder—from jewellers and manufacturers to wholesalers and traders—must immediately cease transactions with Turkiye and Azerbaijan as a gesture of national unity. The decision is being viewed as a symbolic yet firm stand to send a powerful message about India’s internal cohesion.

The GJC further asserted that this collective boycott reinforces the industry’s identity as a defender of national pride. “By halting trade, we send a clear message of unity and resolve, reinforcing our industry’s role as a pillar of national pride,” the statement added. Meanwhile, tensions between India and Turkiye continue to rise, with the Ministry of External Affairs recently postponing a diplomatic credentials ceremony involving the Turkish ambassador. The action from the jewellery sector adds to a growing list of economic and diplomatic responses aimed at isolating nations perceived as unsupportive of India’s security interests.