Riyadh [Saudi Arabia]: In a powerful diplomatic outreach under Operation Sindoor, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) MP Asaduddin Owaisi urged Saudi Arabia, a Financial Action Task Force (FATF) member, to push for the re-listing of Pakistan in the FATF Grey List for its ongoing role in terror financing and propaganda against India.
Owaisi is part of a multi-party parliamentary delegation led by BJP MP Baijayant Panda, currently in Riyadh to reinforce India’s zero-tolerance stance on terrorism and counter Pakistan’s misinformation campaigns.
“Pakistan is propagating terror, targeting Indian citizens”: Owaisi
In meetings with Saudi officials and members of the Indian diaspora, Owaisi detailed Pakistan’s involvement in cross-border terrorism and stressed the need for accountability.
“We told them how Pakistan is propagating terrorism and how Indian citizens are targeted. Pakistan should be brought back to the FATF Grey List. Saudi Arabia helped us in 2018, and we seek their support again,” Owaisi told ANI.
He met with Abdullah ibn Muhammad, head of Saudi Arabia’s Shura Council, and Adel al-Jubeir, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, to present India’s case.
Rejecting Pakistan’s Narrative on Muslims
Owaisi rebuffed Pakistan’s portrayal of itself as the global voice of Muslims, asserting that India is home to over 14.5 crore proud Muslims, contributing richly to Islamic scholarship and national development.
“The Ulemas in Pakistan are no match for the Ulemas in India. Our Islamic scholars are respected globally. Pakistan’s claims are false and misleading,” he emphasized.
Highlighting Saudi Aid Misused by Pakistan
He also questioned Pakistan’s economic priorities, pointing out that despite receiving $2 billion in aid in 2023 and a $3 billion loan in 2024 from Saudi Arabia, the country’s economy continues to falter.
“Pakistan’s economy is not stabilising, and the money is not being used for the poor. Its defence budget is 2.6% of GDP—higher than India’s 1.9%—which exposes their misplaced priorities,” Owaisi said.
Citing Pahalgam Terror Attack as Evidence
Referring to the recent Pahalgam terror attack, Owaisi reiterated that India is actively working to combat terrorism while simultaneously exposing Pakistan’s involvement.
“Yes, we have internal issues too, but we are addressing them. What happened in Pahalgam is part of a pattern, and we’re committed to countering it.”
India’s Unified Diplomatic Front in Riyadh
The multi-party delegation includes MPs from across the political spectrum, symbolizing a unified Indian front against terrorism on the global stage. Warmly received by Maj Gen Abdulrahman Alharbi, Chair of the India-Saudi Arabia Council Friendship Committee, the group aims to strengthen diplomatic and counter-terrorism cooperation with Riyadh.
Delegation Members:
- Baijayant Panda (BJP, Lead)
- Asaduddin Owaisi (AIMIM)
- Nishikant Dubey (BJP)
- Phangnon Konyak (BJP)
- Rekha Sharma (BJP)
- Satnam Singh Sandhu (BJP)
- Ghulam Nabi Azad (Former J&K CM)
- Harsh Shringla (Former Foreign Secretary)
This visit is one of seven global outreach missions, each led by a different MP, under the broader Operation Sindoor initiative to counter Pakistan’s anti-India narrative and bolster global cooperation on terrorism.