IIT-Roorkee has officially canceled its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Inonu University in Turkiye, joining a growing list of Indian institutions severing ties with Turkish universities. This decision positions IIT-Roorkee as the third central university, following Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and Jamia Millia Islamia, to terminate academic collaborations with a Turkish university.
The MoU between IIT-Roorkee and Inonu University, signed in January 2025, was designed to foster research collaboration and facilitate student and faculty exchanges. However, recent geopolitical developments and concerns over national security have prompted a reevaluation of these partnerships.
IIT-Roorkee justified its decision by emphasizing its commitment to national interests. Kamal Kishore Pant, the director of IIT-Roorkee, stated that their "global partnerships must reflect the values, priorities, and security considerations of our country". The institute has affirmed its dedication to pursuing collaborations that align with its academic objectives and contribute to strengthening India's research and innovation ecosystem.
The move by IIT-Roorkee is part of a broader trend among Indian educational institutions to review and, in some cases, terminate agreements with universities in Turkiye. Lovely Professional University (LPU), a private university in Punjab, has ended six MoUs with universities in Turkiye and Azerbaijan. LPU cited the two countries' pro-Pakistan stance during recent Indo-Pak tensions as the reason for ending collaborations, which included student and faculty exchanges, joint research, and dual degree programs. Ashok Kumar Mittal, LPU chancellor and Rajya Sabha MP, asserted that "National security is not safeguarded solely at the borders — it must be defended in every classroom, boardroom, and international collaboration".
Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University (CSJMU), Kanpur, a state-government-run university, has also terminated similar MoUs, with many other institutions currently reviewing their international agreements with higher education institutions from Turkiye.
The Association of Indian Universities (AIU) has played a significant role in this trend. On Thursday, May 15, 2025, the AIU urged over 1,100 universities to review and, if necessary, suspend or terminate partnerships with institutions in Pakistan, Turkiye, and Bangladesh. This appeal followed a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which resulted in 26 fatalities. AIU president Vinay Kumar Pathak accused these countries of supporting anti-India narratives and called for academic institutions to demonstrate national solidarity in their international engagements.
These decisions have been influenced by several factors, including Turkiye's perceived support for Pakistan and condemnation of India's actions in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Additionally, there have been reports of Ankara providing Pakistan with drones and arms during recent escalations of conflict with India.
The institutions that have cut ties with Turkish universities have emphasized that while international academic collaboration is essential, future collaborations must align with India's interests and security concerns. They have also stated their commitment to supporting national policy and strategic interests.
