The MOU between JNU and Turkish Inonu University is suspended

The three-year academic cooperation was signed on February 3 with the goal of promoting student interaction and cross-cultural study.

Citing national security concerns, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) said Wednesday that it had discontinued its academic memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Inonu University in Turkey.

The three-year academic cooperation was signed on February 3 with the goal of promoting student interaction and cross-cultural study. However, JNU stated in a statement published on X on Wednesday: “The Memorandum of Understanding between JNU and Inonu University, Turkey, is suspended until further notice due to national security considerations. #NationFirst: JNU supports the nation.

As part of larger initiatives to improve international academic cooperation, Malatya’s Inonu University joined the agreement. The School of Language, Literature and Culture Studies and the School of Computer and Systems Sciences are the two JNU schools that are parties to the Memorandum of Understanding.

V-C Prof. Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit stated, “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.”

Tensions between India and Pakistan are a factor in the decision to stop the MoU. Ankara’s support for Islamabad and its condemnation of India’s recent attacks on terror facilities in Pakistan are likely to damage India’s trade relations with Turkey. All around the nation, there have already been calls to boycott Turkish products and travel.

Turkish apples, which are normally available from October to January, have not yet made it to Indian stores this season, according to importers at the wholesale fruit markets in Pune and Mumbai, as reported by The Indian Express.

Numerous vendors have vowed to support a boycott. A dealer from Pune had stated that “apples from the US, Poland, Iran, and South Africa are sufficient to meet domestic demand,” adding that Himachal Pradesh and other northern states already make a substantial contribution to the domestic supply.

In the fiscal year 2023–24, India imported 11.76 lakh tones of apples from Turkey, making it a significant player in that market. Turkey also exports peas, lentils like masur, and pistachios to India.