Ceasefire, But Now It's Economic War

Though hostilities with Pakistan have been suspended, it is not business as usual.

- GURBIR SINGH

Following security concerns expressed by the Union government, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has revoked security clearance of Istanbul-based airport ground handling firm, Celebi Airport Services India.

Celebi, an old player in airport services, and with 10,000 employees in India, now faces the prospect of being ousted from the 9 airports it had ongoing contracts. The trigger has been Turkey's undiluted support for Pakistan. Not only did Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan greet the Pakistani PM Shebaz Sharif as "his brother", but he ensured a steady supply of advanced Bayraktar drones launched on India. In its defence, Celebi has said it has no political affiliations, that it is not a Turkish government organisation, and it is not owned by Turkish capital. The company says it is in existence since 1958 as a global airport services firm. Its majority 50% owner is Actera Partners, a New Jersey-registered fund, while 15% is held by Alpha Airport Services BV, a Netherlands company.