IIT Roorkee cancels MoU with Turkish University citing national interest

The Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, has formally cancelled its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Inonu University in Turkiye. IIT Roorkee noted that the MoU was initially intended to promote academic and research collaborations, including faculty and student exchanges.  However, the institution announced that it is withdrawing from the agreement in the interest of the nation.

IIT Roorkee has formally cancelled an MoU with Inonu University, Türkiye. The Institute remains committed to fostering global collaborations that reflect its academic priorities & uphold national interest.#IITRoorkee#InternationalRelations#AcademicExcellence#GlobalEngagementpic.twitter.com/1OQ9oPGGLl

— IIT Roorkee (@iitroorkee) May 16, 2025

Universities Act Amid Turkiye’s Support to Pakistan

This move follows a series of similar decisions by Indian educational institutions in response to Turkiye and Azerbaijan’s vocal support for Pakistan following recent escalations. On Thursday, Jamia Millia Islamia announced the suspension of all its MoUs with Turkish universities, explicitly citing national security concerns.

Due to national security considerations, any Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, and any institution affiliated with the Government of the Republic of Türkiye stands suspended with immediate effect, until further orders.

Jamia Millia…

— Jamia Millia Islamia (NAAC A++ Grade Central Univ) (@jmiu_official) May 15, 2025

The university declared its firm support for India in light of Turkiye’s military assistance to Pakistan, including the supply of drones and arms during its recent conflict with India. The university said it could not continue academic ties with countries seen aiding forces hostile to Indian interests.

Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) earlier suspended its MoU with Inonu University in Malatya, Turkiye. Similarly, the Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU), Hyderabad, terminated its agreement with the Yunus Emre Institute, also citing Turkiye’s support for Pakistan as the reason.

Due to National Security considerations, the MoU between JNU and Inonu University, Türkiye stands suspended until further notice.
JNU stands with the Nation. #NationFirst@rashtrapatibhvn@VPIndia@narendramodi@PMOIndia@AmitShah@DrSJaishankar@MEAIndia@EduMinOfIndia

— Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) (@JNU_official_50) May 14, 2025

The Maulana Azad National Urdu University @officialmanuu cancels all MoUs with Turkey.#NationFirst@rashtrapatibhvn@PMOIndia@narendramodi@EduMinOfIndia@dpradhanbjp@AmitShah@HMOIndia@SyedAinulHasan3@SriMspeaks@skishtiaque@ugc_india@PIB_India

— Maulana Azad National Urdu University (@officialmanuu) May 15, 2025

Lovely Professional University (LPU), a private varsity, also cancelled all MoUs with Turkiye and Azerbaijan, declaring no academic cooperation is worth compromising national pride.

Backdrop: Terror Attack and India's Counter-Response

These decisions come in the wake of the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam valley that killed 25 Indian and one Nepalese worker. The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility. India responded with Operation Sindoor, targeting nine terror hubs in PoJK and Pakistan.

In response, Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the killing of tourists in Pahalgam, vowing the harshest punishment for those behind the attack. Later, India launched a targeted counter-offensive named Operation Sindoor, striking nine terror hubs located in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) and Pakistan. The operation reportedly resulted in the deaths of over 100 terrorists.

This led to a sharp escalation in tensions between India and Pakistan, with diplomatic ties strained and strong statements exchanged on international platforms.