There is strong protest against the Global Biennial Conference 2025, organised by the World Malayali Council, one of the pro-congress expatriate groups of Keralites, being held in Azerbaijan. According to available information, the event, which was initially scheduled to be held from June 25 to 28 at the Royal Orchid Sheraton in Bangkok, Thailand, until April 29, was suddenly and suspiciously shifted to Azerbaijan by the organisers.
Azerbaijan’s Anti-India Stance Amidst Terrorist Attack
On April 22, a terrorist attack took place in Pahalgam with the support of Pakistan, resulting in the death of 26 innocent Indian citizens. Subsequently, on May 7, the Indian Army launched Operation Sindoor and eliminated terrorist camps in Pakistan. However, Azerbaijan criticised India’s anti-terror military action through an official statement. On May 8, the Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry declared its solidarity with Pakistan. This message of support was formally conveyed to Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif by the Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Qasr Farhadov. In doing so, Azerbaijan failed to show any accountability for the killing of 26 Indian citizens in the terrorist attack. It was during this period that the World Malayali Council changed the location of its programme from the previously scheduled Thailand to Azerbaijan, a highly suspicious and unfortunate decision.
Is it a Sponsored Program for a Pro Congress Group?
An examination of the political background of the officials of the World Malayali Council, as well as the nature of the programmes featured on its website, makes it evident that the organisation leans towards the Congress party. The Congress party’s connections with Turkey, along with the growing alliance among Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Pakistan, raise serious concerns regarding the World Malayali Council’s decision to shift the venue. Therefore, suspicions that this programme may be sponsored or influenced by certain forces, particularly in light of the Congress party’s affiliations, are justified. Furthermore, when examining the event poster, it appears to be more than just a promotional flyer; it closely resembles an advertisement for the Azerbaijan government’s tourism sector. By hosting the event in Azerbaijan, Pakistan’s agenda is indirectly being advanced, an agenda aimed at projecting a divide between the Indian government and its people. This is the same narrative previously promoted by the organisation CUBAA-UAE at the Dubai Pakistan Association in the UAE, where a reception was organised for Shahid Afridi. The World Malayali Council now appears to be following a similar path.
Azerbaijan’s Position on Kashmir: A Direct Threat to India’s Sovereignty
The issue extends beyond Azerbaijan’s criticism of India’s military action or its declaration of support for Pakistan. Azerbaijan itself poses a significant problem. After Pakistan and Turkey, it is the third country to raise the Kashmir issue. Azerbaijan’s long-standing stance runs counter to India’s consistent position that no third party should interfere in the Kashmir matter. This policy of Azerbaijan directly challenges India’s sovereignty. Moreover, Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, during his visit to Pakistan in May 2024, and President Ilham Aliyev, who visited in July, not only interfered in the Kashmir issue but also officially recognised Pakistan’s claim to it. In addition, Azerbaijan has been raising the Kashmir issue in regional and international forums such as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). In doing so, it has escalated its position to one that directly questions India’s sovereignty. Furthermore, in 2024, Pakistan and Azerbaijan formally elevated their bilateral relationship to one of ‘brotherhood’ and ‘friendship.
Anti-India Axis: Turkey, Pakistan & Azerbaijan
Additionally, Azerbaijan maintains exceptionally strong ties with Turkey. The two countries affirm their strategic alliance and brotherhood under the principle of ‘One nation, two states.’ At both regional and international levels, an emerging anti-India alliance can be observed among Pakistan, Turkey, and Azerbaijan. These three countries have consistently taken a hostile stance towards India on the Kashmir issue. The Pakistan-Turkey-Azerbaijan trilateral summit held in Astana (Kazakhstan) in July 2024, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Annual Summit, further reinforces this alignment.
Undermining National Unity: A Deeply Unfortunate Decision
In such a context, when the nation and its people are standing united against those responsible for the killing of 26 innocent citizens in Pahalgam and their supporters, the decision by the World Malayali Council, an organisation that appears to act in contradiction to this national unity, is suspicious, questionable and deeply unfortunate.
