MANAMA, May 28 – Indian lawmaker Asaduddin Owaisi on Sunday described Pakistan as a “failed state” during an interaction with key figures in Bahrain, and urged the Gulf nation to support international efforts to return Islamabad to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list over its alleged role in financing terrorism.
Owaisi, an MP from the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), is part of an all-party Indian parliamentary delegation visiting Bahrain as part of a regional tour to brief partners on India’s counter-terrorism stance following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which killed 26 tourists.
“Our government has sent us here to make the world aware of the threat India has been facing for years,” Owaisi said. “This problem emanates from Pakistan only. Unless Pakistan stops promoting, aiding, and sponsoring terrorist groups, this threat will persist.”
He added that India had shown “maximum restraint” in responding to such provocations. “India has all the means to protect its citizens and those residing in the country. If Pakistan takes up another misadventure, the response will be beyond what they expect,” he said.
Owaisi cited India’s technological and military capabilities, including air defence systems that he said had effectively intercepted threats from across the border.
Calling attention to the human toll of terrorism, he referred to the Pahalgam attack, saying, “A woman married six days ago became a widow on the seventh. Another, married two months ago, also lost her husband. These are the human tragedies we cannot ignore.”
The MP urged the Bahrain government to support India’s call to place Pakistan back on the FATF grey list, saying terror financing remained a critical concern. “This money is being used to support terrorist activities. There is political unanimity in India on this issue, regardless of party lines,” he said.
The Indian delegation, led by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Baijayant Panda, also includes MPs Nishikant Dubey, Phangnon Konyak, Rekha Sharma, Satnam Singh Sandhu, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, and Ambassador Harsh Shringla.
The multi-party delegation is on a diplomatic outreach mission to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Algeria to counter global misinformation and emphasize India’s zero-tolerance policy on terrorism.
