The reception brought together around 500 dignitaries, diplomats and business leaders, highlighting growing tourism, cultural and commercial ties between India and Türkiye.
The Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in New Delhi celebrated the 103rd anniversary of the proclamation of the Turkish Republic with a special reception at the Ambassador’s residence on October 29, 2026. The event highlighted the strengthening relationship between India and Türkiye, particularly in tourism, cultural exchange, trade and people-to-people engagement.
Hosted by Ali Murat Ersoy, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to India, and his wife, Fazilet Ersoy, the reception attracted approximately 500 guests, including senior Indian government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, business leaders and representatives from the culture, media and tourism industries.
Alpana Dubey, Joint Secretary (Southern Europe) at India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), attended the celebration, reflecting the importance of continued diplomatic engagement between the two countries.
The Republic of Türkiye was proclaimed on October 29, 1923, under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. The annual Republic Day celebration commemorates the establishment of the modern Turkish Republic and is observed across Türkiye and at Turkish diplomatic missions worldwide.
Addressing the gathering, Ambassador Ali Murat Ersoy highlighted the Republic’s historic role in connecting continents, cultures and civilisations, while emphasising the importance of international cooperation and mutual respect.
“It is a great pleasure to welcome you tonight as we celebrate the 103rd anniversary of the Republic of Türkiye. For over a century, our Republic served as a resilient bridge between continents, cultures, and civilisations, dedicated to global cooperation and mutual respect,” he said.
Indian travellers remain an important tourism market
The reception came at a time of continued interest in Türkiye among Indian outbound travellers. The country welcomed approximately 136,000 Indian visitors between January and August 2026, highlighting its appeal as an international destination for leisure, cultural exploration and experiential travel.
Direct air connectivity through Turkish Airlines, together with Türkiye’s diverse tourism portfolio, has contributed to its accessibility and appeal among Indian travellers. The destination offers a combination of historical attractions, coastal experiences, natural landscapes, shopping, gastronomy and luxury hospitality.
Türkiye is also seeking to strengthen its presence in India’s Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) market, alongside destination weddings and leisure tourism. Its established hospitality infrastructure, international-standard event facilities and diverse destination options provide opportunities to attract Indian wedding groups, corporate travellers and high-value leisure visitors.
Strengthening India–Türkiye tourism cooperation
The growing engagement between the two countries reflects opportunities for closer cooperation across tourism promotion, aviation, hospitality and travel trade partnerships.
For Indian travellers, Türkiye offers access to destinations ranging from Istanbul’s historic landmarks and vibrant urban experiences to the landscapes of Cappadocia, the Mediterranean coastline and the cultural heritage of Anatolia.
Improved air connectivity and continued engagement with Indian tour operators and travel companies are expected to remain important in expanding destination awareness and developing new travel products.
The New Delhi reception therefore served not only as a celebration of Türkiye’s national milestone but also as an opportunity to reinforce the cultural and commercial relationships supporting travel between the two countries.
As Türkiye continues to engage with India’s outbound travel market, tourism, destination weddings, MICE and cultural experiences are expected to remain important areas of opportunity.
