Turkey’s overt support for Pakistan in the India-Pakistan conflict has led to critical consequences for Turkish ground services provider Çelebi Ground Handling Inc., which operates in India. On May 15, India’s Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) revoked Çelebi’s security clearance. The Delhi High Court upheld this decision on the grounds of national security.
One of India’s leading newspapers, The New Indian Express, emphasized that the decision was directly linked to Turkey’s foreign policy favoring Pakistan. Similarly, the PTI news agency reported that the court rejected the appeals of Çelebi Airport Services India and Çelebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management India, with the ruling delivered on May 23.
“National security takes precedence over all rights”
In the 94-page judgment delivered by Justice Sachin Datta, it was underlined that while the principles of natural justice are important, national security is the “precondition for the enjoyment of all constitutional rights.” The court also dismissed the company’s argument that the “principle of natural justice” had been violated.
The BCAS had revoked Çelebi’s security clearance shortly after Turkey condemned India’s cross-border counterterrorism operations in Kashmir. This move was interpreted as India’s determination to protect its critical infrastructure.
Security concerns based on intelligence
The Indian government stated that the decision was made in alignment with national security interests and based on concrete intelligence information. The statement highlighted that allowing Çelebi to continue its aviation services posed a “security risk.”
Çelebi Airport Services India had been operating under the security clearance it obtained in November 2022. The company had been providing ground handling and cargo operations at nine different airports across India for over 15 years, employing more than 10,000 people.
