In a strong and unambiguous diplomatic gesture, Asaduddin Owaisi, President of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and sitting Member of Parliament, has labelled Pakistan as the "epicentre of Takfirism", sharply criticising its intelligence apparatus and state machinery for supporting global terrorism. His comments were made while participating in a multi-party Indian parliamentary delegation led by BJP MP Baijayant Panda on an official visit to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Algeria.

The delegation's visit, undertaken amid heightened concerns about cross-border terrorism and the rising threat of extremist ideologies, focused on building strategic consensus with regional partners. Owaisi's direct attack on Pakistan's deep state, ISI, and illicit financial networks stood out as a rare moment of unified Indian political voice abroad.

A Strong Statement: Pakistan and the Ideology of Takfirism

Owaisi, while addressing media and diplomatic representatives, described Pakistan as the nerve centre of "Takfirism", a radical ideology that promotes the excommunication and targeted violence against Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

"They all believe in and justify killing innocent people — whether it is Al-Qaeda, Daesh, LeT, or JeM. Pakistan has now become the epicentre of Takfirism," Owaisi stated firmly.

This ideological convergence, he added, is what drives terrorist attacks globally and is systematically funded by illegal financial networks originating in or supported by the Pakistani state.

He underscored that all four countries visited — Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Algeria — have suffered terrorism at the hands of such groups, drawing attention to historical examples like the 2003 Riyadh bombing. He emphasized India’s shared victimhood and the importance of a unified international approach to combat terrorism.

Credit to BJP MP Baijayant Panda: A Bipartisan Diplomatic Initiative

In a notable display of bipartisan cooperation, Owaisi praised BJP MP Baijayant Panda, who led the delegation. He said:

“The delegation was led by BJP MP Baijayant Panda, and I must give him credit. He articulated India’s position very clearly and strongly.”

Owaisi acknowledged that all members of the diverse Indian delegation performed effectively, presenting India’s concerns on cross-border terrorism, especially in the context of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 Indian civilians.

This cross-party unity served to demonstrate India’s consistent diplomatic posture on Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, irrespective of internal political differences.

Focus on FATF and Global Financial Oversight

One of the most critical aspects of the delegation’s dialogue was to push for renewed international scrutiny on Pakistan’s terror financing operations. Owaisi highlighted how the four nations visited played important roles in India's diplomatic success in getting Pakistan grey-listed by FATF in 2018.

All four countries — particularly Saudi Arabia and Kuwait — are key members or observers in multilateral financial and political organizations such as:

• Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)

• Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)

• Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF)

• And one is a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council

Owaisi stated that the delegation's briefings reiterated how terrorist groups like The Resistance Front, which claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam attack, are nothing but rebranded outfits like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) — a detail already conveyed to the UN Security Council under Resolution 1267.

April 22 Pahalgam Terror Attack and Operation Sindoor

During the visit, the delegation provided detailed briefings on both the Pahalgam terror attack of April 22, 2025, and India’s military response through Operation Sindoor.

The attack in Pahalgam targeted civilians during a public event and has been widely condemned. According to intelligence presented by the Indian delegation, the assault was orchestrated by The Resistance Front — a proxy for Lashkar-e-Taiba, operating under a new name to evade international scrutiny.

Owaisi also drew attention to a provocative speech made by Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir on April 15, calling it an incitement to extremism that reflects the dangerous trajectory of radicalisation in the Pakistani military establishment.

A Stark Reminder: The Polio Analogy and Governance Deficit

One of the most impactful comments from Owaisi was his comparison of Pakistan’s terrorism issue with its public health failure.

“Polio still exists only in Afghanistan and Pakistan. What does that tell us? Despite 40% of Pakistan’s population living in poverty, terrorism continues to flourish, funded and facilitated by the government, ISI, and the deep state.”

This statement illustrated how systemic governance failures in Pakistan are intertwined with its export of terrorism, with implications not only for regional security but for human development and international credibility.

India's Unified Narrative on Terrorism Resonates in the Gulf

The delegation, which also included Nishikant Dubey, Phangnon Konyak, Rekha Sharma, Satnam Singh Sandhu, Ghulam Nabi Azad, and former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, reiterated India’s stance during multiple high-level meetings.

They called on their Gulf counterparts to:

• Support India’s efforts to bring Pakistan back onto the FATF grey list

• Cooperate in blocking terrorist financing

• Publicly denounce ideologies like Takfirism

• Strengthen multilateral security frameworks

The Gulf nations expressed a strong understanding of India’s position, and sources indicate a positive diplomatic shift, especially in the backdrop of India’s long-standing energy and trade relations with these countries.

Geopolitical Context and India’s Forward Strategy

Owaisi’s comments come at a time when diplomatic tensions with Pakistan have heightened, especially after Turkey and Pakistan attempted to jointly portray Operation Sindoor as an act of aggression. India’s delegation emphasized that the operation was strictly a counter-terror strike, conducted in self-defence under international law.

The emerging geopolitical alignment is one where India is seen as a responsible global actor, actively combating terrorism, while Pakistan is increasingly isolated for its ideological extremism and financial opacity.

Conclusion: Owaisi’s Remarks Echo National Consensus

Asaduddin Owaisi’s sharp denunciation of Pakistan — especially the use of the term “epicentre of Takfirism” — reflects a rare convergence across India’s political spectrum on the issue of cross-border terrorism.

His remarks, delivered in the heart of the Muslim world, also served to disrupt Pakistan’s narrative within the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and MENAFATF, where Islamabad often seeks support on religious and regional lines.

As India continues to build its counter-terror diplomacy, this visit — and Owaisi’s forthright statements — mark a significant moment of clarity, unity, and assertiveness on the global stage. The onus now lies with the international community to act decisively on the intelligence, alliances, and consensus built through such efforts.

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