Turkish firm moves court against India's decision to terminate security clearance

NEW DELHI: A Turkish airport service, Celebi, has initiated a legal battle against New Delhi’s decision to terminate its security clearance on Friday, arguing that “vague” national security concerns were mentioned without reasoning.

Amid growing public anger in India about Turkey’s stance on Pakistan in the India-Pakistan conflict, the Indian government on Thursday revoked Celebi's security clearance in the "interest of national security."

Celebi Airport Services India, in a May 16 filing seen by Reuters, asked the Delhi High Court to set aside that decision, arguing it would impact 3,791 jobs and investor confidence, and was issued without any warning to the company.

"Mere rhetoric of national security without elaborating upon in what manner is an entity a threat to national security is unsustainable in law," the company said in the filing, which is not public. Its details have not previously been reported.

India's government did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The case is likely to be heard on Monday.

In its filing, Celebi also said its shareholders were registered in Turkey, but the "majority end control" is held by companies of global repute who do not have Turkish incorporation or origin.

Earlier this week, The Shiv Sena party, a key ally in Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, had held protests against Celebi in Mumbai, demanding the city's airport sever ties with the Turkish company.

Last week, deadly fighting broke out between India and Pakistan after New Delhi struck what it said were "terrorist camps" in Pakistan in retaliation for an attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) last month that killed 26 men, which it said was backed by Islamabad.

Pakistan denied involvement, but both countries sent missiles and drones targeting each other's military installations in the days that followed. The nuclear-armed neighbours reached a truce on Saturday that has largely held.

Turkey and Azerbaijan, popular budget holiday destinations for Indians, issued statements backing Islamabad after India's strikes.

A top Indian university, the Jawaharlal Nehru University in the capital New Delhi, said it has suspended an academic agreement with a Turkish university.

"Due to national security considerations, the MoU (memorandum of understanding) between JNU and Inonu University, Turkiye stands suspended until further notice," JNU said on X.

Separately, Adani Airport Holdings said it was terminating its arrangement with Chinese lounge access provider DragonPass, announced last week, without specifying the reason.