London (TDI): A planned debate at the Oxford Union was called off after the Indian side backed out shortly before the event was to begin, drawing sharp criticism from Pakistan’s High Commission in London and sparking questions about the sudden withdrawal.
The discussion, set to take place on the motion “This House Believes India’s Policy Towards Pakistan is a Populist Strategy Sold as Security Policy,” had been confirmed weeks earlier and was scheduled for 12:30am (PKT).
Pakistan’s panel, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Lt Gen (R) Zubair Mahmood Hayat, former foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar and former ambassador Dr Mohammad Faisal, had already arrived in London.
According to the High Commission, India’s original speakers General M.M. Naravane, Dr Subramanian Swamy and politician Sachin Pilot, pulled out at the final moment, leaving the Union without an opposing team.
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The Commission also said that the Indian side later suggested replacements who were relatively unknown and not on par with the senior Pakistani lineup, which, in its view, compromised the seriousness of the debate.
The Commission described the withdrawal as a “collective retreat”, claiming it amounted to an uncontested win for Pakistan and revealed the fragility of India’s stance on a neutral forum.
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While Pakistan’s High Commission accused India of avoiding critical questions, social media users speculated about possible political pressure behind the withdrawal, suggesting that the Indian government might have influenced the decision.
