Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has launched a stinging attack on the Kerala government’s decision to grant Rs 10 crore as financial aid to Turkey following the devastating 2023 earthquake, calling it an example of “misplaced generosity” in light of Ankara’s recent alignment with Pakistan during India’s Operation Sindoor.
Tharoor’s criticism, posted on X, reignites a debate over the Left Democratic Front (LDF)-led Kerala administration’s controversial decision to allocate state funds for international disaster relief — a gesture that has now drawn flak for its unintended geopolitical repercussions.
I hope the Govt of Kerala reflects on its misplaced generosity, after seeing Turkey's behaviour two years later! https://t.co/NSaZij9eaE
Not to mention that the people of Wayanad (just to take one Kerala example) could have used those ten crores far better….— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) May 23, 2025
India had swiftly come to Turkey’s aid when a catastrophic 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck the nation and neighbouring Syria on February 6, 2023, claiming tens of thousands of lives. The Modi government launched Operation Dost, dispatching NDRF teams, military medics, sniffer dogs, and relief material as a symbol of India’s solidarity with the Turkish people.
The Kerala government went a step further — announcing a Rs 10 crore aid package from its state budget on February 8, just two days after the tragedy. State Finance Minister K N Balagopal defended the allocation at the time, citing humanitarian concerns and the global shock at the scale of the disaster.
But two years later, Turkey’s posture during India’s time of need has led to bitter introspection.
On April 22, 2025, a brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam, J&K, claimed the lives of 26 innocent civilians mostly Hindus, triggering national outrage. India responded with Operation Sindoor a massive, multi-pronged military operation targeting terror hubs across the Line of Control (LoC), widely believed to be orchestrated by Pakistan’s deep state.
Instead of condemning the terror attack, Turkey sided with Islamabad. Reports from Indian intelligence agencies and global defence observers suggest that Ankara not only diplomatically backed Pakistan but may have even supplied military equipment to bolster its defences against India during Operation Sindoor.
Reacting to this diplomatic betrayal, Shashi Tharoor lambasted the Kerala government, saying that the Rs 10 crore could have been better spent addressing local crises like the devastating landslides in Wayanad his own parliamentary constituency which claimed over 250 lives and left thousands injured and displaced.
“I hope the Govt of Kerala reflects on its misplaced generosity, after seeing Turkey’s behaviour two years later!” Tharoor posted on X, sharing a dated news article on the 2023 financial aid decision.
“Not to mention that the people of Wayanad (just to take one Kerala example) could have used those ten crores far better,” he added in another post, highlighting the state’s own resource limitations and urgent disaster response needs.
Tharoor’s statement comes amidst growing national anger over Turkey’s pro-Pakistan stance. In retaliation, New Delhi has revoked the aviation clearance of Turkish ground-handling company Çelebi Aviation, barring it from operations at Indian airports. Several Indian trade bodies have also called for a total boycott of Turkish goods and services.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has maintained a cautious silence on Turkey’s alleged weapons support to Pakistan, but strategic circles are abuzz with talk of diplomatic downgrades, trade embargoes, and further retaliatory measures.
The Kerala government, already under pressure for budgetary constraints, now faces growing public scrutiny for its foreign aid priorities.
Critics point out that while Kerala was generous with foreign aid, several districts like Wayanad, Idukki, and Pathanamthitta have continued to suffer from infrastructure gaps, underfunded disaster recovery efforts, and lack of timely rehabilitation for flood and landslide victims.
“Where is the accountability? At a time when Wayanad was mourning its dead, rebuilding shattered homes, and pleading for state support, the government chose to prioritize Turkey. This is not just poor judgment, it is an insult to our own suffering people,” said a retired IAS officer who formerly served in the state’s disaster management department.
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