September 9, 2025

THE CLIFF NEWS

National Daily Bilingual Newspaper

Category: Travel

India Quietly Reassessing Turkish Business Ties Post-Operation Sindoor Amid Geopolitical Tensions

India-Turkey relations are entering a phase of quiet reassessment as the Modi government begins a systematic review of Turkish investments and business partnerships in the country. This strategic shift follows Operation Sindoor, a high-stakes military operation against Pakistan, and Turkey’s subsequent posture on Kashmir, which New Delhi views as provocative and misaligned with India’s core interests. Economic Ties: Strong Yet Vulnerable According to a February 2025 report by the India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF), bilateral trade between India and Turkey reached US$ 10.4 billion in FY24, with Turkish firms active in at least five Indian states — Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Delhi. Turkish investments, valued at US$ 240.18 million in cumulative FDI equity inflows since April 2000, span strategic areas such as: Notably, a Turkish company was tasked with electromechanical work for the Atal Tunnel in J&K (2020), while Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) signed a MoU in 2024 with another Turkish firm for a metro rail project. However, senior government officials now confirm that all Turkish-linked projects — ongoing or concluded — are under review. While no public cancellations have been announced, sources describe the approach as a “silent unwind” of economic ties, driven by shifting strategic priorities. Geopolitical Triggers At the heart of this recalibration is Turkey’s repeated international commentary on Kashmir and its close alignment with Pakistan — a red line for Indian diplomacy. While India has traditionally maintained a pragmatic posture towards Ankara, the post-Operation Sindoor landscape has prompted a more assertive rethink. A senior official, speaking to News18, said, “All projects involving Turkish firms are under scrutiny… the government is compiling detailed data on each public and private engagement.” Another official from the Ministry of Commerce confirmed that even long-term agreements are being reviewed, though they may not be immediately terminated. Still, future investments and deals are expected to see considerable hesitation. Key Sectors Affected Turkish firms have a visible presence in high-impact infrastructure and service sectors: These aren’t peripheral ventures — they involve essential public services and strategic assets. Any reevaluation could significantly impact urban mobility and logistics infrastructure where Turkey-linked firms are embedded. From Engagement to Caution The shift is stark compared to the enthusiasm seen during Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s 2017 India visit, which resulted in MoUs on: Eight years later, those promises are now being overtaken by strategic divergence and national security recalibrations. What’s Next? So far, the Indian government has not made any official announcement of cancellations, reflecting a cautious, low-profile approach. But the message is clear: economic partnerships will now be judged not just on financial merit but on strategic alignment. As India grows more assertive globally, partners perceived as out of sync with its core interests — however economically viable — may face exclusion from future deals. In effect, Operation Sindoor may become a pivot point not only in India’s defence posture but also in its foreign economic policy, particularly regarding nations seen as sympathetic to its adversaries.

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Editor05 mins

Widespread Boycott of Turkey and Azerbaijan Travel Impacts Tourism Industry

A concerted online campaign urging Indians to cancel travel plans to Turkey and Azerbaijan has gained significant traction since May 11, leading to thousands of cancelled bookings and prompting ticketing platforms and tour operators to halt further reservations to both countries. Social media saw three hashtags—#BoycottTurkey, #BoycottAzerbaijan, and #BoycottTurkeyAzerbaijan—trending across India, as users touted alternative destinations like Greece and Armenia. Reports emerged of families, including one in Mumbai, scrapping their Turkey vacations after a child questioned why they would visit a nation perceived as aligned with “India’s enemy.” The backlash extended to aviation, with IndiGo criticized for maintaining its codeshare agreement with Turkish Airlines. In response, the Turkish Department of Tourism issued a statement assuring Indian visitors of a warm welcome and emphasizing that local Turks are largely unaware of geopolitical tensions, a message that nevertheless drew hostile reactions online. Tourism stakeholders in India have largely backed the boycott. Jyoti Mahal, Chairperson of the Tourism and Hospitality Skill Council, told The New Indian Express that tour operators and industry professionals are advising against travel to Turkey and Azerbaijan. She cited reports — including claims (potentially inflated) of an 800-person group from Gujarat cancelling their trips — as evidence of the movement’s impact. Azerbaijan, in particular, stands to lose heavily: in 2024, it recorded a record 243,589 Indian tourists—a 108% year-on-year increase from 2023 and a dramatic rise from just 4,853 arrivals in 2014. The sudden drop in bookings threatens to stall this decade-long tourism boom along the Caspian coast.

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Editor02 mins

Air Travel Disrupted for Second Day at Delhi Airport Amid Escalating India-Pakistan Tensions

Air travel at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) remained severely disrupted for the second consecutive day, following heightened military tensions between India and Pakistan. Widespread airspace restrictions were enforced after a Pakistani drone and missile attack on Indian cities in Jammu, Punjab, Gujarat, and Rajasthan, triggering flight cancellations and delays. In the past 48 hours, a total of 228 flights have been cancelled at Delhi Airport alone. On Friday, May 9, airport authorities reported 138 cancellations, comprising 63 domestic arrivals, 66 domestic departures, four international arrivals, and five international departures. The previous day, over 90 flights were cancelled, and more than 200 faced delays, especially during peak hours from 8 AM to 2 PM. Despite the disruptions, Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL), which operates IGIA — India’s busiest airport — maintained that operations remain “normal.” However, it acknowledged that ongoing airspace restrictions and intensified security measures may affect flight schedules and increase processing times at checkpoints. DIAL has urged passengers to arrive early, remain patient, and cooperate with security personnel. Meanwhile, in a significant move, the Ministry of Civil Aviation announced the suspension of civil flight operations at 24 airports till Saturday, May 10. The list includes key airports such as Amritsar, Jammu, Srinagar, Chandigarh, Jodhpur, Leh, and Bhuj — most of which lie close to India’s western border. The current escalation in Indo-Pak tensions began Thursday evening, when Pakistani drones and missiles targeted multiple Indian states. The Indian Ministry of Defence confirmed the origin of the attacks and said they were successfully intercepted by air defence systems. The assault prompted blackouts, air raid sirens, and even led to the suspension of an IPL match in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh. This flare-up came just a day after India launched ‘Operation Sindoor’, a targeted military strike on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), in retaliation for the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam. The situation remains volatile, with potential for continued disruption in air travel and public safety operations across northern India.

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Editor03 mins

Pakistan Closes Airspace to Indian Airlines: 800 Flights Impacted, Operational Costs Set to Rise

Pakistan’s decision to close its airspace to Indian airlines from Thursday evening is set to impact over 800 flights a week, leading to longer flight durations, increased fuel consumption, and complexities in crew and flight scheduling, all of which are expected to raise operational costs significantly. The immediate impact is already evident, with flights from North India to West Asia, the Caucasus, Europe, the UK, and North America’s eastern region being forced to switch to longer routes, adding anywhere from 15 minutes to several hours to the journey, depending on the destination. Flight Suspensions and Route Changes Indian airlines are rapidly adjusting schedules to factor in the ban. IndiGo, for instance, announced the suspension of its daily flights from Delhi to Almaty and Tashkent starting April 27 and April 28, respectively, until “at least” May 7. The airline cited that due to airspace restrictions and limited rerouting options, both Central Asian cities now lie outside the operational range of its current narrow-body fleet. IndiGo further stated that around 50 of its international routes could require schedule adjustments. Other major airlines, including Air India, Air India Express, Akasa Air, and SpiceJet, are similarly affected, particularly on their west-bound international routes which traditionally overflew Pakistani territory. Magnitude of the Impact According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, almost 400 weekly westward international departures from Delhi, Amritsar, Jaipur, and Lucknow typically overflew Pakistan. Including the return journeys, the number of impacted flights rises to about 800 weekly. Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport alone accounts for roughly 640 of these flights, making it the most affected airport. Additionally, a few ultra-long-haul flights from cities like Mumbai are also impacted, as their optimal flight paths previously traversed Pakistani airspace. Technical Halts on Ultra-Long-Haul Flights Flight tracking data shows that several Air India ultra-long-haul flights to North America were forced to make technical halts at European airports such as Copenhagen and Vienna on Friday. These halts, for refueling or crew change, disrupted what are otherwise non-stop services. Affected flights included: Air India had announced on Thursday that some of its international flights would be rerouted following Pakistan’s airspace closure but has not yet confirmed if technical halts will now become a regular feature, as they did during the 2019 airspace closure after the Balakot airstrikes.

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Editor04 mins

Post-Pahalgam Attack Fallout: Kashmiri Students Face Threats, Assaults Across India; J&K Students Association Issues SOS

In the aftermath of the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir is grappling not only with the loss of 26 innocent lives—25 tourists and one local resident—but also with a disturbing surge in hate-fueled reprisals targeting Kashmiri students in various parts of the country. The J&K Students Association has raised the alarm, alleging a wave of harassment, abuse, and physical assaults against Kashmiri youth studying in states like Uttarakhand, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and the National Capital Region. 🔴 Key Allegations and Incidents: 📞 Emergency Response and Government Reaction: The J&K Students Association has set up dedicated helpline numbers and a rapid response team to coordinate with state authorities for intervention. “This is the seventh incident since the Pahalgam attack. Kashmiri students are being intimidated, assaulted, and forcibly removed. They feel isolated and insecure,” said Nasir Khuehami, National Convenor of the Association. “We are in constant touch with distressed students, and some are literally fleeing campuses to save their lives,” added Ummar Jamal, the Association’s National President. 🗣️ Political Response: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed grave concern, saying the J&K government is actively liaising with states where incidents have occurred. “I’m also in touch with my counterparts in these states and have requested them to ensure protection and care for Kashmiri students,” Abdullah said. This unfolding crisis highlights a dangerous spillover of anger from a terrorist act to innocent students, risking a deeper communal divide and human rights violations.

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Editor04 mins

New Clues, Old Questions: Is There Alien Life on Exoplanet K2-18b?

A groundbreaking study led by astrophysicist Nikku Madhusudhan from the University of Cambridge has reignited one of science’s oldest questions: Are we alone in the universe? The answer might lie 124 light-years away on a distant exoplanet named K2-18b. Drawing on data from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), researchers have identified strong evidence of a chemical compound called dimethyl sulfide (DMS) in K2-18b’s atmosphere. On Earth, DMS is exclusively produced by living organisms—primarily by ocean-dwelling phytoplankton—making it a potentially powerful biosignature. A Promising Discovery—With Caution The significance of the discovery lies in both the chemical and the context. K2-18b is categorized as a Hycean world, with a hydrogen-rich atmosphere and likely a surface covered by liquid water—conditions widely regarded as suitable for life. The JWST, unlike its predecessor the Hubble, orbits the Sun instead of Earth, providing it with an enhanced view of deep space. When planets like K2-18b pass in front of their host stars, telescopes detect light filtered through the planet’s atmosphere. Specific wavelengths absorbed or emitted by atmospheric molecules reveal which chemicals are present. In the case of K2-18b, the DMS signal stood out, and researchers calculated only a 0.3% chance that the detection was a false positive. While that makes the finding statistically robust, experts urge caution. As planetary scientist Christopher Glein noted, the discovery, while exciting, may not yet be the definitive “smoking gun” of alien life. A History of Hopes and Setbacks Astrobiology has long wrestled with such tantalizing, but ultimately inconclusive, findings. The Viking landers on Mars in the 1970s, for example, initially seemed to detect microbial life in soil samples. But later experiments failed to confirm the presence of organic compounds, and further research suggested non-biological processes—involving perchlorate minerals and cosmic radiation—could explain the observed reactions. Part of the problem lies in a deeper mystery: scientists don’t fully agree on a single, precise definition of life. Without that clarity, determining what counts as definitive evidence of extraterrestrial organisms remains elusive. The Search Continues Despite the uncertainty, the K2-18b study represents a major step forward in the search for life beyond Earth. It not only highlights the capabilities of the James Webb Space Telescope, but also deepens our understanding of Hycean worlds—a new class of exoplanets that could hold the key to answering humanity’s oldest question. As always in science, especially in astrobiology, hope is tempered by caution. But one thing is clear: the cosmos may be whispering clues, and we are just beginning to listen.

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Editor04 mins

BluSmart Halts Services Amid SEBI Crackdown on Founders, Plans Fleet Transition to Uber

BluSmart, the fast-growing electric cab service, has abruptly suspended its operations in major Indian cities including Delhi, Bengaluru, and Mumbai. This sudden halt in services has left thousands of commuters stranded and confused. The disruption follows a Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) order against the company’s promoters, who have been accused of financial misconduct. According to reports, BluSmart may soon exit its core ride-hailing business and instead operate as a fleet partner for Uber. As per The Economic Times, shareholders have approved a plan to begin transferring BluSmart’s fleet to Uber over the next few weeks, signaling a significant pivot in the company’s operations. The crisis unfolded after SEBI issued an interim order against Anmol Singh Jaggi and Puneet Singh Jaggi—the co-founders of Gensol Engineering, a company closely linked to BluSmart. Both brothers have resigned from their roles after the market regulator accused them of misappropriating funds and treating Gensol like a “piggy bank”. BluSmart, launched in 2018 as Gensol Mobility Pvt. and later rebranded, was founded by Anmol Jaggi along with Punit Goyal. The company quickly rose to prominence as India’s first and largest all-electric, zero-emission ride-hailing service. As of January 2025, it boasted a fleet of over 8,500 electric vehicles, a network of 5,800 charging stations across 50 hubs in Delhi NCR and Bengaluru, and a base of over 10,000 driver partners. It had completed over 1.45 crore rides and had recently ventured into international markets by launching a premium EV limousine service in the UAE. The root of BluSmart’s operational shutdown lies in its financial ties with Gensol Engineering Limited (GEL), also promoted by the Jaggi brothers. SEBI’s investigation revealed that Gensol borrowed ₹978 crore from public financial institutions like the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) and the Power Finance Corporation (PFC) between 2021 and 2024. Of this, ₹664 crore was earmarked for the purchase of 6,400 electric vehicles to be leased to BluSmart. However, only 4,704 EVs were reportedly procured, leaving ₹262.13 crore unaccounted for. The SEBI probe revealed alarming financial irregularities, including luxury purchases and personal expenditures made using diverted funds. One major transaction involved a payment of ₹42.94 crore for an upscale apartment in the DLF Camellias project in Gurugram. Other questionable expenses included a ₹26 lakh golf set, personal travel and leisure, credit card bill payments, and fund transfers to close relatives. As BluSmart prepares to reposition itself in the mobility space through a partnership with Uber, the scandal has raised broader concerns about corporate governance and transparency in India’s rapidly growing EV and startup ecosystem.

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Editor04 mins

Katy Perry Set to Soar to the Edge of Space with All-Female Crew on Blue Origin Flight

Pop superstar Katy Perry will soon become one of the most famous celebrities to travel to the edge of space. The “Firework” and “California Gurls” singer is set to lift off on Monday aboard a Blue Origin spacecraft, part of a historic all-female mission organized by Jeff Bezos’ space company. The sub-orbital flight will launch from Blue Origin’s West Texas site at approximately 8:30 am local time (1330 GMT). Perry will be joined by five other women, including Bezos’ fiancée and pilot Lauren Sanchez, TV host Gayle King, film producer Kerianne Flynn, former NASA engineer Aisha Bowe, and activist Amanda Nguyen. This marks the first all-female space crew since Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova’s solo mission in 1963. The mission will also be Blue Origin’s 11th crewed sub-orbital flight aboard its New Shepard rocket. The journey will last around 10 minutes and take passengers more than 100 kilometers (over 60 miles) above Earth, crossing the Karman line—the internationally recognized boundary of space. During the flight, the capsule will separate from the booster rocket and offer a brief period of weightlessness, allowing the passengers to float freely before descending gently under parachutes, aided by retro rockets. Katy Perry shared with Elle magazine that her motivation for the trip is her daughter, Daisy, whom she shares with actor Orlando Bloom. “I’m doing this for my daughter… to inspire her to never have limits on her dreams,” Perry said. “I’m just so excited to see the inspiration through her eyes… when she sees that rocket go, and she goes back to school the next day and says, ‘Mom went to space.’” Blue Origin, which has already flown 52 people on similar missions—including “Star Trek” actor William Shatner—has not disclosed the price of these space tourism trips. The company is using such high-profile missions to maintain public interest and compete with rivals like Virgin Galactic and SpaceX. While Virgin Galactic offers similar sub-orbital experiences, Blue Origin aims to advance toward orbital missions, bolstered by the successful unmanned launch of its powerful New Glenn rocket earlier this year.

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Editor03 mins

Budget-Friendly Pod Hotel to Open at Bhopal Railway Station on April 4

A new budget-friendly pod hotel is set to open on April 4 at Bhopal Railway Station, near Platform No. 6, offering an affordable and comfortable resting space for travelers. The facility, located on the first floor of the station’s new building, will provide 20 family pods and 118 single-bed pods for passengers. Affordable and Convenient Stay Options The rental charges will start at just ₹299 per hour, making it a cost-effective option for short-term stays. The railway authorities will also arrange food and beverages for guests. Pod Hotel Facilities The single-bed pods will be 5 feet by 7 feet in size, while the family pods will accommodate two adults and two small children. The pods are designed to serve passengers waiting for their next train, especially those with layovers of 2 to 4 hours. Amenities for a Comfortable Stay Final Preparations Underway According to Senior DCM Saurabh Kataria, the project is in its final stage, with last-minute arrangements being made for a smooth launch. The official inauguration date and a detailed pricing structure will be announced soon. This much-awaited project, which has been under discussion for the past three years, is finally set to enhance travel comfort at Bhopal Railway Station.

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Editor03 mins

Ladakh Sees Unprecedented Road and Rail Development Since UT Status

Major Investments in Road Infrastructure Ladakh’s connectivity has expanded rapidly for both civilian and military purposes, with the central government investing ₹20,660 crore in road development since the region became a Union Territory in 2019, junior Union highways minister Harsh Malhotra stated in Leh on Sunday. Highlighting the surge in infrastructure projects, Malhotra mentioned key developments, including: Railway Expansion to Reduce Travel Time Malhotra also showcased progress on the Bilaspur-Manali-Leh railway project, which has been allocated ₹1.31 lakh crore. Once completed, it will reduce the Delhi-Leh travel time from 40 hours to just 20 hours. However, the Srinagar-Leh rail project has been put on hold but not canceled. Boost in Air Connectivity With an additional ₹640 crore earmarked for a new terminal at Leh airport, the region is also set to see improved air connectivity. Strategic Importance The minister emphasized that these projects are crucial for both civilian access and military preparedness, ensuring better infrastructure in the strategically sensitive region.

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