In a fiery political intervention during an election rally, AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take decisive action against the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, drawing an unprecedented comparison with recent global events.
The remarks come in the wake of a dramatic international incident where U.S. forces conducted a large-scale military operation in Venezuela and captured President Nicolás Maduro along with his wife, later flying them to the United States. The operation — code-named Operation Absolute Resolve — involved coordinated air strikes and special forces action, resulting in Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores being taken into U.S. custody to face charges related to narco-terrorism and drug trafficking. This event marked a rare instance of a sitting head of state being seized by another nation’s military.
Addressing a crowd in Mumbai on Saturday, Owaisi seized on this development to question India’s approach to cross-border terrorism. “Today we heard that U.S. President Donald Trump’s forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and took him from his country to America,” Owaisi said, referencing the U.S. capture of Maduro. “If Trump can abduct Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro from his own country, then you (Prime Minister Modi) can also go to Pakistan and bring back the mastermind of the 26/11 terrorist attacks to India.”
Owaisi specifically named Masood Azhar, the Pakistan-based terror leader believed to have been behind the devastating Mumbai attacks in November 2008 that claimed at least 170 lives. He also blasted New Delhi’s handling of terror suspects, calling for an assertive policy akin to the U.S. military action in Venezuela. “Why can’t you send troops to Pakistan and bring back the masterminds of the 26/11 terror attacks to India, whether it’s Masood Azhar or others from Lashkar-e-Taiba?” Owaisi asked.
#WATCH | Mumbai | AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said, “Today we heard that US President Donald Trump’s forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and took him from his country to America. If US President Donald Trump can abduct Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro from his… pic.twitter.com/OTLyZJ4goK
— ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2026
In his speech, Owaisi invoked India’s political discourse, including popular slogans and claims of leadership strength, suggesting that the Modi government should demonstrate its “56-inch chest” on the global stage by bringing back terror suspects from across the border. His remarks were aimed at putting pressure on the ruling party ahead of crucial elections and stirring debate on national security priorities.
The U.S. operation in Venezuela, meanwhile, has drawn sharp global attention and mixed reactions. President Trump — who announced the action — said the United States would “run” Venezuela until a “safe, proper and judicious transition” could be arranged, while critics have condemned the intervention as a violation of international law and Venezuelan sovereignty. Venezuela’s government has denounced the U.S. actions and called for emergency discussions at the United Nations Security Council.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has expressed deep concern over the developments, urging restraint and peaceful dialogue to resolve the situation. The MEA also highlighted efforts to protect Indian nationals in Venezuela and reiterated calls for stability in the region.
Owaisi’s remarks have predictably sparked debate across political circles in India, with opinions divided on whether such comparisons are valid or helpful in shaping counter-terrorism policy. What remains clear is that international events — especially involving military actions against state actors — can quickly influence domestic political narratives and electoral rhetoric