All powerloom owners in Ichalkaranji have been urged by the Ichalkaranji Powerloom Association to avoid doing business with Turkiye and Azerbaijan. Both nations had backed Pakistan during the most recent military confrontation with India. Ichalkaranji sends around Rs. 200 crore (US $ 23.36 million) in direct goods to these two nations, and even more in indirect or third-party exports.
Operators provide these nations with substantial supplies of yarn, apparel, completed goods, and towels. Turkiye is also a source of machinery for powerloom businesses. A group of 40 operators from Kolhapur abandoned their plans to travel to these nations after being inspired by the request.
“Yarns, garments, finished clothes, and towels made in Ichalkaranji are in high demand,” stated Chandrakant Patil, president of the association. However, he added, “India is our top priority. As a result, we made the decision to immediately halt trading with Azerbaijan and Turkey. We are looking at other countries that help our country fight terrorism and with whom we can conduct respectable business.”
Ichalkaranji, is home to more than 1 lakh powerlooms and directly employs roughly the same number of people. Grey and processed textiles, bed linens, clothing, caps, vests, and other items are among the main exports, which are distributed to more than 30 countries.
In a similar vein, a resolution to boycott all trade and commercial relations with Turkey and Azerbaijan, including imports, exports, and tourism, was passed by the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), which represents more than 125 trade leaders.
Citing India’s prior diplomatic and humanitarian assistance to both countries, CAIT denounced the position of Turkey and Azerbaijan as a “betrayal”. Additionally, the association declared that business delegations, importers, and exporters from India will not be allowed to interact with Turkiye and Azerbaijani organisations or firms.
According to the traders’ lobby, a note calling for a policy-level assessment of all economic connections with these countries would be sent to the ministries of external affairs and commerce and industry.
