Jamia Millia Islamia Suspends MoUs with Turkish Institutions Citing National Security Concerns

Jamia Millia Islamia: Jamia Millia Islamia announced on Thursday that it would be cancelling all MoU's with Turkey, citing the reason as national security concerns.

The university has insisted that it stands with the nation after Turkey helped Pakistan. Ankara was supplying Pakistan with drones and arms during its recent escalation with India.

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"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 Islamia stands firmly with the Nation," the university said in a statement.

Professor Saima Saeed, PRO of Jamia Millia Islamia, said, " We have suspended all MoUs with institutions affiliated with Turkey. Jamia stands with the nation and the Government of India."

This comes on the heels of similar action taken by Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU), Hyderabad.

JNU and MANUU's action against Turkey

JNU suspended its academic agreement with Inonu University in Malatya, Turkiye, under the banner of national security concerns.

JNU Vice Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit also called out Turkey for its support of Pakistan, saying: "Turkey has openly backed Pakistan, and that cannot be ignored."

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The MoU signed on February 3, 2025, with Inonu University in Malatya, Turkey, was set to run until 2028.

"JNU is fully subsidised by Indian citizens. If the Indian state is being undermined, how can we continue ties with a country like Turkey? As an academic and citizen, my security is at risk--and that of every Indian," JNU VC has said.

In contrast, MANUU was able to terminate its MoU with Turkey's Yunus Emre Institute immediately, citing Turkey's support for Pakistan as the reasoning.

The MoU signed on January 2, 2024, aimed to promote Turkish language studies at MANUU. The Turkish professor has been visiting and has now gone back.

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