In a significant move, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has announced the suspension of its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with İnonu University, Turkiye, citing national security concerns. On May 14, the university administration stated that the decision would remain in effect until further notice.
“JNU stands with the Nation,” the university declared in a brief but assertive statement, making it clear that academic collaboration cannot be at the cost of India’s strategic interests.
Due to National Security considerations, the MoU between JNU and Inonu University, Türkiye stands suspended until further notice.
JNU stands with the Nation. #NationFirst @rashtrapatibhvn @VPIndia @narendramodi @PMOIndia @AmitShah @DrSJaishankar @MEAIndia @EduMinOfIndia— Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) (@JNU_official_50) May 14, 2025
This suspension comes amid growing concerns about Türkiye’s increasing alignment with Pakistan, in the wake of its logistical and military support during Operation Sindoor and on matters concerning Kashmir, minority politics, and alleged soft power interference through academic and cultural channels.
The spotlight now shifts to Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU), which signed an MoU with the Yunus Emre Institute, Türkiye, in January 2024.
As per the University, this collaborative effort will enable the exchange of visits between members of their academic and administrative staff. It will also involve the establishment of cultural activities and the exchange of students. Additionally, there will be an exchange of both resident and non-resident faculty members.
Will MANUU follow JNU’s lead and reassess its MoU with a Turkish government-backed institute in light of national security concerns.
Critics argue that if Inonu University’s links with Turkiye warrant suspension, then Yunus Emre Institute’s more overtly ideological and state-driven profile deserves even deeper scrutiny. After all, Yunus Emre Institute operates not just as a cultural platform, but as an instrument of Turkish foreign policy, much like China’s Confucius Institutes, which have come under fire globally for surveillance and ideological influence.
The Yunus Emre Institute operates over 80 cultural centres worldwide. In Europe, it has a strong presence with more than 30 centres across countries like Germany, France, the UK, Italy, and the Balkans. These centres collaborate with local institutions to offer Turkish language and cultural programmes.
In the Middle East and Pakistan, the Institute maintains a focused presence with over 20 centres, including in Iraq, Iran, Egypt, Sudan, Qatar, Palestine, and three major cities in Pakistan. In South Asia, it has centres in India (New Delhi) and Nepal (Kathmandu), marking its entry into culturally and politically strategic regions.
In January 2021, the European Union addressed suspicions of Turkish funding for anti-India extremism, stating that Turkey is actively using educational institutes like the Yunus Emre Institute (YEI) to interfere in India’s internal affairs, often in collaboration with Pakistan. It was also alleged that, under an Islamist-style ‘Erasmus’ exchange, Indian Muslim students are reportedly taken to Turkey and connected with Pakistani organisations.
