Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Friday took to X (formerly Twitter) to take a dig at the Kerala government for sanctioning ₹10 crore in aid to Turkey during the 2023 earthquake. Sharing an article detailing the state’s financial assistance, Tharoor termed it “misplaced generosity”- especially in light of recent revelations about Turkey’s support to Pakistan following India’s Operation Sindoor. He posted, “I hope the Govt of Kerala reflects on its misplaced generosity, after seeing Turkey’s behaviour two years later! Not to mention that the people of Wayanad (just to take one Kerala example) could have used those ten crores far better….”
I hope the Govt of Kerala reflects on its misplaced generosity, after seeing Turkey's behaviour two years later! https://t.co/NSaZij9eaE
Not to mention that the people of Wayanad (just to take one Kerala example) could have used those ten crores far better….---Advertisement---— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) May 23, 2025
Boycott Turkey Call In India
India’s relationship with Turkey has worsened after it was revealed that Turkey gave Pakistan more than 300 drones, which were then used against India following Operation Sindoor in May 2025. To make matters worse, during this tense period between India and Pakistan, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan openly supported Pakistan. In a message to Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, he said, “Just like before, we’ll continue to stand by you, through both good and bad times.”
After this, there was a nationwide backlash in India. Many Indian citizens and businesses are now demanding that all connections with Turkey be cut off. This could seriously hurt Turkey’s already weak economy. In a major move, the Indian government has cancelled the security clearance of Çelebi Airport Services India and its parent company in Turkey, Çelebi Hava Servisi AS, saying the decision was made due to national security concerns. Çelebi Airport Services is believed to have investments linked to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s daughter, Sümeyye Erdogan.
When Did Kerala Sanction Rs10 Crore Aid To Turkey?
In 2023, the Kerala government gave ₹10 crore to help Turkey after a big earthquake. The State Finance Minister, K N Balagopal, said the money was meant to support the people affected by the disaster. This ₹10 crore aid was announced in Kerala’s state budget on February 8. The earthquake, with a strength of 7.8, happened on February 6 near the border between southern Turkey and northern Syria.
“The earthquake in Turkey, which had shocked the consciousness of the world, claimed tens of thousands of lives and left lakhs of people destitute,” the minister noted.
