All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen chief Asaduddin Owaisi urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take decisive action against the masterminds of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks by bringing them back from Pakistan, drawing a parallel to the recent U.S. military operation in Venezuela. In a charged speech on January 3, 2026, Owaisi referenced U.S. President Donald Trump's capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, stating, “If U.S. President Donald 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.” He also cited Saudi Arabia's strikes on separatist camps in Yemen as examples of bold international interventions. Owaisi's remarks came amid global reactions to the U.S. action, which has raised questions about sovereignty and unilateral military moves. The AIMIM leader emphasized that such operations demonstrate the feasibility of targeting threats abroad.

Owaisi specifically called for action against figures like Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar and operatives from Lashkar-e-Taiba, whom he described as “ruthless devils” responsible for conspiring against Mumbai. “We are telling you, Modiji, you can also go into Pakistan and bring back those cruel people who hatched the conspiracies against Mumbai,” he said. His statement reflects ongoing frustrations in India over Pakistan's alleged harboring of terrorists involved in cross-border attacks. Owaisi, known for his vocal stance on national security and minority rights, used the speech to rally support for stronger governmental measures. This is not the first time he has criticized the central government's approach to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, often linking it to broader foreign policy critiques.

The U.S. operation in Venezuela on January 3, 2026, involved overnight raids that led to Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, being captured and flown to New York. U.S. officials have accused Maduro of narco-terrorism, with Attorney General Pam Bondi announcing charges including drug trafficking conspiracies. The couple faces potential life sentences in U.S. courts, marking a significant escalation in Washington's long-standing campaign against the Maduro regime. The action has drawn international condemnation from allies like Russia and China, while sparking debates on the legality of such interventions under international law.

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The 26/11 Mumbai attacks, which Owaisi referenced, remain one of India's deadliest terror incidents. On November 26, 2008, 10 Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists from Pakistan carried out coordinated strikes across Mumbai, targeting hotels, a railway station, and a Jewish center. The four-day siege resulted in 174 deaths, including 20 security personnel and 26 foreigners, and over 300 injuries. India has repeatedly demanded Pakistan extradite key conspirators like Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar, but diplomatic efforts have yielded limited results amid strained bilateral ties. Owaisi's call revives demands for justice, highlighting unresolved grievances 18 years after the tragedy.

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