Chandigarh University cuts ties with Turkey, Azerbaijan over Pro-Pakistan stance

In a decisive move underscoring its "Nation First" commitment, Chandigarh University (CU) on May 17 announced the termination of all academic collaborations with 23 universities across Turkey and Azerbaijan. The action follows the recent escalation in hostilities between India and Pakistan and the perceived alignment of Turkey and Azerbaijan with Pakistan’s stance.

This announcement came a day after Lovely Professional University (LPU) also revoked all Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with institutions in the two nations.

Rajya Sabha MP and Chancellor of Chandigarh University, Satnam Singh Sandhu, stated that the decision was made in keeping with India’s national interest and in solidarity with the country’s stand against terrorism.

“The vision of CU has always remained aligned to the spirit of Nation First,” Sandhu asserted. “In line with that vision, we have decided to terminate all our educational ties with Turkey and Azerbaijan. These MoUs facilitated student exchanges, faculty visits, joint research and academic collaborations.”

Sandhu strongly criticized the recent diplomatic posture of the two countries, saying their support for Pakistan — “a nation globally recognized for harboring terrorism”—was unacceptable.

“It is unfortunate that Turkey and Azerbaijan, despite benefitting from India’s goodwill and strategic support in the past, have chosen to side with a country responsible for cross-border terrorism,” he said.

Quoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's firm stand on terrorism, Sandhu added,

“As clearly stated by our Prime Minister, perpetrators of terrorism and their enablers will not be spared. We cannot continue partnerships with nations complicit in the loss of innocent Indian lives and the sacrifice of our brave soldiers.”

The move is being viewed as part of a larger sentiment growing within Indian academia to align international partnerships with national security priorities and geopolitical realities.