In a powerful address during an all-party Indian delegation’s visit to Algeria, AIMIM chief and Member of Parliament Asaduddin Owaisi issued a sharp condemnation of Pakistan’s role in global terrorism, branding it the “epicentre of Takfirism.”
Takfirism and Terror: Owaisi Draws Parallels
Speaking to Algerian media, policy think tanks, and the Indian diaspora, Owaisi emphasized that the ideological core of Pakistan-based terror outfits mirrors that of global jihadi groups like Daesh and Al-Qaeda:
“There is no difference in ideology between the terrorist groups in Pakistan and Daesh or Al-Qaeda. They falsely claim religious sanction, which Islam does not permit. Islam strictly prohibits the killing of innocents.”
Call to Action: Re-listing Pakistan on FATF Grey List
Owaisi made a strong case for returning Pakistan to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Grey List, stating:
“Terrorism thrives on two elements — ideology and money. The Grey List is a powerful tool to restrict the latter. We saw results in 2018 when Pakistan was grey-listed; terror financing and violence in India dropped.”
He pointed to Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, as a case study in FATF pressure:
“No country should allow a known terrorist to thrive in prison. When Pakistan was grey-listed, trials moved quickly. That’s proof of its impact.”
Broader Strategic Messaging
BJP MP Baijayant Panda, leading the delegation, underlined how Pakistan uses its nuclear status as a shield for terror sponsorship:
“Pakistan has openly supported terrorist training, funding, and arming. It’s an open secret. Their nuclear capability has emboldened their activities.”
Delegation Composition and Mission
The delegation comprises cross-party leaders and strategic experts, including:
- Baijayant Panda (BJP)
- Asaduddin Owaisi (AIMIM)
- Ghulam Nabi Azad (DPAP)
- Nishikant Dubey (BJP)
- S. Phangnon Konyak (BJP)
- Rekha Sharma (NCW Chairperson)
- Satnam Singh Sandhu (Chancellor, Chandigarh University)
- Harsh Vardhan Shringla (Former Foreign Secretary)
Their mission: to galvanize international support for a united stand against terrorism and showcase India’s bipartisan resolve in combating extremism.
Operation Sindoor: India’s Global Outreach
The Algeria stop is part of India’s multi-nation Operation Sindoor, a diplomatic offensive aimed at:
- Countering Pakistan’s narrative on international platforms
- Building global consensus on cross-border terrorism threats
- Strengthening counter-terror alliances, especially in Africa, Europe, and Southeast Asia
Ambassadors and officials in multiple countries, including Latvia, Spain, and Algeria, have acknowledged the value and clarity of India’s message.
Conclusion: Global Terror, Global Response
Owaisi’s and Panda’s remarks highlight a rare cross-party alignment on a matter of national and global security. The Indian delegation in Algeria reinforced that terrorism — particularly Pakistan-sponsored — is not just India’s problem, but a global threat requiring collective action.
India’s firm diplomatic stance, combined with strategic narratives like Operation Sindoor, is now mobilizing wider international acknowledgment of Pakistan’s role in fostering terror — and the urgent need to counter it decisively.