India First: What Owaisi's Diplomatic Role Means For Indian Muslims

News18

5 days ago

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We all must learn to navigate our ideological differences without damaging the nation
There are moments in politics when actions speak louder than a thousand speeches. The recent participation of Hyderabad Member of Parliament Asaduddin Owaisi in the Government of India's international outreach delegation is one such moment.
Owaisi — often portrayed as the sharpest critic of the BJP, a staunch opponent of Prime Minister Narendra Modi — was seen representing India's national interests on foreign soil. He wasn't there to settle scores or raise domestic grievances. He was there to speak as an Indian, for India.
That alone deserves attention, not for its political optics, but for the deeper lesson it offers to every citizen, especially the youth and those caught in ideological bubbles.
From Parliament To The Gulf
The Modi government selected a group of MPs for diplomatic engagement in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) — Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Algeria. Alongside BJP MPs Dr. Nishikant Dubey and Baijayant Jay Panda was Asaduddin Owaisi, representing not just his constituency but India's pluralist democracy.
This isn't just a PR stunt. It's a strategic move that shows maturity from both sides. The government chose someone who doesn't toe its line, and Owaisi agreed to stand with them, not against them, on the world stage. And what better stage than the Gulf, where misinformation about India's internal politics often circulates unchecked, and where extremist voices backed by foreign lobbies seek to shape global perceptions?
By joining hands with the government delegation, Owaisi has communicated — without compromising his ideological beliefs — that when it comes to the image and security of the Indian state, national unity matters more than party rivalries.
Moreover, the delegation proves the farsightedness of BJP and Prime Minister Modi. Despite ideological differences with Owaisi, the BJP leadership offered him a position to represent India abroad.
This isn't the first time Owaisi has chosen national interest over sectarian narratives. He has been vocal against Pakistan's double standards for years.
During a diplomatic outreach visit to Kuwait this week, Owaisi launched a scathing critique of Pakistan's leadership.
Taking the stage abroad, Owaisi took direct aim at Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir, calling them 'stupid jokers" for circulating a doctored image from a Chinese military drill and falsely claiming it as a Pakistani victory over India.
'I am telling you a fact," he said. 'Yesterday (May 26), Pakistan's army chief gifted a photo to PM Sharif. The President of Pakistan, the Speaker of the National Assembly were all there. These stupid jokers want to compete with India. They gave a 2019 Chinese army drill photo, claiming it was a Pakistani victory over India. They can't even produce a proper photograph."
Switching into Urdu for effect, Owaisi mocked the apparent lack of intelligence behind the stunt, 'Nakal karne ke liye akal bhi chahiye. In naalayakon ko akal bhi nahin hai." ('You need brains to copy. These fools don't even have that.")
It was a bold stand — and it broke the false image that Owaisi blindly supports the so-called Ummah narrative pushed by Pakistan's deep state. He reminded us that being a proud Indian Muslim does not mean aligning with Islamabad's propaganda. That a critique of domestic policies does not equal sympathy for anti-India forces.
His sharp critique wasn't just limited to Pakistan. Owaisi used to refer to Turkish President Tayip Erdogan as 'Mard-e-Mujahid" (Courageous Warrior) during his political rallies. However, when Turkey's President Erdoğan backed Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, Owaisi minced no words. 'When Turkey itself bombs the Kurds, how can it question India's right to defend itself?" Owaisi's comment targets global hypocrisy while defending India's sovereignty and strategic response.
And coming from someone who is often accused of pandering to pan-Islamic sentiments, it demolishes the lazy narrative that Indian Muslims have divided loyalties. Owaisi has shown repeatedly that his loyalty is to India — and that his inhouse fight and criticism is within the Indian democratic framework, not for applause from foreign autocrats.
Criticism Is Healthy
This episode should be a lesson for all of us, especially Indian Muslims. It is okay — even essential — to question the government. That's how democracy grows. But there's a difference between questioning your government and weakening your nation or rallying along foreign lobbies. And often, the line is crossed by social media warriors, vulture activists, or even clueless youth who equate every Indian policy with injustice, without understanding the geopolitical complexities.
It's important to realize that when the Indian state reaches out to nations, especially the Islamic world, it's not just the ruling party's image on the line — it's the entire country's perception. In such moments, unity does not mean uniformity. It means being responsible.
Owaisi's participation signals that when it comes to protecting India's reputation abroad and exposing Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, we are on the same page. You can criticize the ruling party at home, and still work for the national interest abroad.
Role Of Indian Muslims In Diplomacy And Nationhood
For Indian Muslims who often feel politically disillusioned or targeted by identity politics, this moment offers clarity. Your leaders can be part of the state apparatus without losing their identity. In fact, their participation makes the state stronger, more inclusive, and more representative.
This is also a reply to those in the Gulf or Western nations who, based on orchestrated media campaigns, think India is becoming intolerant. When someone like Owaisi — who has fought at home — stands for India internationally, it sends a powerful message: This is my country, and I will not allow anyone to malign it from the outside.
That is what true patriotism looks like. And that is the kind of leaders the younger generation should look up to as a yardstick — one that knows when to raise its voice and when to represent with dignity.
Parties Come And Go — The Nation Stays
Let's be honest. Governments change. Parties rise and fall. But India as a state, as a civilisation, and as a system remains. The courts, the civil services, the armed forces, and the diplomatic institutions — they continue regardless of who is in power.
This understanding is crucial. If political disagreements make us hate the country itself, we are playing into the hands of our enemies. The state is not your enemy — it is the structure that protects your freedom to speak, protest, and participate.
Owaisi has often clashed with the BJP, but he knows that opposing a party doesn't mean opposing the nation. This wisdom is what makes his role in the outreach program more meaningful than it may appear on the surface.
Final Thoughts
This is a moment for reflection — especially for those who blindly idolise political leaders or treat them as infallible religious representatives. If you admire Asaduddin Owaisi, then admire him for this: for knowing when to support the Indian state, for daring to speak against Pakistan's hypocrisy, and for showing that dissent and patriotism are not enemies — they are siblings in a democratic home.
We all must learn to navigate our ideological differences without damaging the nation. There's already too much negativity being amplified. India needs more truth, more balance, and more unity in action.
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And that starts with leaders like Owaisi taking a stand — not for a party, not for applause, but for the tricolour.
Zahack Tanvir is an Indian-origin activist and founder of The Milli Chronicle, a UK-based publication. With expertise in geopolitics and counter-extremism, he provides insights into global affairs. He holds certifications in Counterterrorism from the University of Leiden of Netherlands, and Georgetown University of Washington DC. He tweets under @ZahackTanvir. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18's views.
tags :
Asaduddin Owaisi Indian diplomacy Indian politics
Location :
New Delhi, India, India
First Published:
May 31, 2025, 16:00 IST
News opinion Opinion | India First: What Owaisi's Diplomatic Role Means For Indian Muslims