Why Aamir Khan's Old Photo with Turkey’s President Sparked New Outrage Post Operation Sindoor

Aamir Khan Clarifies the Context of the Photo with President Erdoğan

Aamir Khan emphasized that the photograph in question dates back to 2017, when India and Turkey were sharing warmer diplomatic ties. He explained that his visit to meet President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and First Lady Emine Erdoğan was unofficial and ceremonial—more aligned with cultural diplomacy than politics. At that time, India was even extending humanitarian aid to Turkey following a devastating earthquake. "Our government was the first to help them then," he noted, underlining how both he and the government were unaware of future shifts in geopolitical allegiances 

He offered some nuance about the timeline: though many believed the photo with the First Lady was taken during the filming of Laal Singh Chaddha in 2020, Khan clarified it was actually taken even before his 2017 engagement. His point was simple: when invited as a cultural goodwill ambassador, it felt improper to refuse—those meetings were in a very different context 

Responding to Backlash Post-Operation Sindoor

The flashpoint was Operation Sindoor, launched by India on May 7 in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. Pakistan, utilizing Turkish-supplied drones during the attack, caused tensions to spike. In the fallout, several calls emerged across India to boycott Turkish goods, tourism, and related collaborations 

Aamir aligned himself firmly with the public sentiment. “Turkey did a very wrong thing, and every Indian has been hurt by that,” he stated in a recent interview. He explicitly supported the ongoing boycott, affirming: “They are doing the right thing. We must not support a country that is siding with those who attack us.” Drawing attention to India’s earlier humanitarian role in 2023, he observed that Turkey’s action felt like a betrayal 

Defining His Role—Not Political, but Patriotic

Khan was careful to emphasize that his meeting was not political advocacy but rather ceremonial. As he told journalist Rajat Sharma on Aap Ki Adalat, “When someone tells me that you will come for tea, it does not feel right for me to say no.” He stressed that, at the time, it would have come across as unwise—and perhaps disrespectful—to decline 

However, his current stance is unequivocal. In response to Turkey’s perceived support for Pakistan, he made it clear that he backs the Indian people and supports the boycott efforts. His stance indicates a clear separation between past diplomatic gestures and present geopolitical realities 

Broader Patriotism: On Operation Sindoor and Terrorism

While discussing Operation Sindoor, Aamir also condemned the Pahalgam terror attack that triggered the operation. He described it as a cowardly act against civilians, questioning the motives behind targeting unarmed people based on religion 

Though he admitted he wasn't as quick to respond—lacking a social media presence—he clarified that he voiced his concerns during public forums and events. He also postponed his film trailer release out of respect for national sentiment He emphasized his filmography—Lagaan, Sarfarosh, Rang De Basanti—as evidence of his lifelong commitment to patriotism

Key Takeaways

Aamir Khan remains mindful of shifting geopolitics. While he clarifies the innocuous context of his earlier meeting, he now stands firmly with India and its people. His support for the boycott of Turkish goods and travel reflects solidarity with the national mood following Operation Sindoor. His journey from cultural envoy to vocal critic highlights the complexities public figures navigate when global politics shift dramatically.