Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], May 19 (ANI): Himachal Pradesh Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Vikramaditya Singh, on Monday said Turkey's open support for Pakistan during recent geopolitical tensions makes it unacceptable for Turkish companies to work in Himachal or anywhere in India.

Singh also raised national security concerns over Turkish companies working in India's infrastructure projects.

'I will definitely raise this issue with Nitin Gadkari ji. I will speak to regional officers here as well. Any companies from Turkey,whether working directly or through joint ventures, should not be entertained in the state or the country. We must bring in other players instead. For us, national security is paramount and non-negotiable. Turkey openly supported Pakistan during the recent conflict, and we oppose that. We will take this issue up with the central government as a matter of priority,' Singh told ANI.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday said the state will formally raise the demand to ban the import of apples from Turkey during the Prime Minister's meeting with all Chief Ministers scheduled for May 24.

Addressing mediapersons in Shimla, Chief Minister Sukhu said the state will take up the matter strongly, as Turkish apples have severely impacted local horticulturists.'The Honourable Prime Minister has called a meeting with all Chief Ministers on the 24th. I will personally write a letter, and we will take up this matter. We want a complete ban on the import of Turkish apples,' said Sukhu.

The Chief Minister emphasised that farmers and orchardists in Himachal Pradesh have worked hard over the years to make the state a key hub for apple production. The influx of cheaper apples from Turkey and even the United States has caused immense losses to apple growers in Himachal, Jammu, Kashmir, and Uttarakhand.

'Himachal Pradesh's orchardists have developed this apple state with their hard work. The apples coming in from Turkey and America are harming our growers. Trade agreements have provisions, and the government can address these within them. The Himachal Pradesh government will urge the Centre to consider increasing tariffs on imported apples,' Sukhu added. (ANI)