“India Home to 240 Million Proud Muslims”: Owaisi Calls Out Pak’s Double Game on Global Stage

GG News Bureau
Riyadh, 29th May: In a powerful rebuttal to Pakistan’s continued efforts to frame its tensions with India as a Hindu-Muslim conflict, AIMIM chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi made a strong case for India’s secular and inclusive fabric during an address in Saudi Arabia.

Speaking as part of a multi-party Indian delegation visiting Gulf nations, Owaisi reminded the international community that over 240 million Muslims live in India with dignity and pride. “It is unfortunate that Pakistan falsely claims to the Arab and Muslim world that India is not a Muslim-friendly country. But the truth is, India is home to proud Muslims and some of the world’s finest Islamic scholars. Our scholars speak Arabic fluently and with unmatched knowledge,” he said.

His remarks come in the wake of Pakistan’s global outreach campaign post the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, allegedly carried out by Pakistan-based terrorists, and India’s subsequent response through Operation Sindoor.

A Call for Peace, Not Propaganda
Owaisi didn’t hold back in criticising Pakistan’s role in regional instability. “If Pakistan stops funding and supporting terror groups, South Asia will see real peace,” he said. Pointing to the events of May 9, he revealed that India had strategically targeted nine Pakistani airbases and terror organisation headquarters—not to escalate war, but to issue a firm warning. “We didn’t want destruction. We just wanted to show them a mirror,” Owaisi remarked.

He also condemned the symbolism of a designated US terrorist leading funeral prayers for slain militants, saying it exposed Pakistan’s open ties with terror networks. “This isn’t just India’s concern. The world needs to see this.”

Revisiting Mumbai Attacks and FATF’s Role
Drawing attention to Pakistan’s long history of sheltering terrorists, Owaisi revisited the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. He recalled how the then Manmohan Singh-led government handed over solid evidence to Pakistan, but no concrete steps were taken—until international pressure mounted.

“Pakistan kept insisting that terror handler Sajid Mir was dead. But when the FATF grey-listed them, he suddenly came back to life and was convicted—not for terrorism, but for money laundering,” Owaisi said, highlighting how international scrutiny works better than bilateral appeals.

He stressed the need for Pakistan to be returned to the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) grey list to cut off terror financing at its root. “Terror groups are not just surviving in Pakistan—they are flourishing, training, and planning to destabilise India,” he added.

India’s Voice in the Gulf
Owaisi is part of a high-level Indian delegation led by BJP MP Baijayant Panda, which also includes BJP’s Nishikant Dubey, Phangnon Konyak, Rekha Sharma, nominated MP Satnam Singh Sandhu, and former foreign secretary Harsh Shringla. The group has travelled through Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Algeria in a strategic effort to build international support against terrorism and clarify India’s position post-Pahalgam.