PM Modi hails ‘vocal for local’ spirit, amid rising boycott of Turkey, Azerbaijan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday highlighted a growing trend of Indian families choosing domestic vacations and local products over foreign alternatives, particularly after the success of Operation Sindoor. Speaking during his monthly radio programme *Mann Ki Baat*, the PM said that there is a "renewed energy" across the country around the ‘Vocal for Local’ movement.

Modi said families are now pledging to vacation within India, buy Indian-made toys, and even host weddings domestically. “Patriotism will start from childhood,” he quoted a parent as saying. “Someone also said, ‘Now whatever gift we will give, it will be made by an Indian artisan.’” These remarks come amid a visible drop in visa applications to countries like Turkey and Azerbaijan, after their public support for Pakistan during India’s military operation.

Visa processing platform Atlys reported that within just 36 hours of the Operation Sindoor-related backlash, 60% of users abandoned visa applications for Turkey and Azerbaijan. Its CEO Mohak Nahta called the public reaction “sharp and behavioural,” adding that the platform also suspended all promotional campaigns for these countries to align with national sentiment. Educational institutes like IIT Bombay have also paused collaborations with Turkish universities, citing the ongoing geopolitical climate.