Indian Delegation Backs Out Of Oxford Union Debate At Last Minute, Hands Walkover to Pakistani side
The Pakistan High Commission in London regrets to announce that the Indian delegation scheduled to participate in a high profile debate at the Oxford Union on 27 November 2025 has withdrawn at the last minute, effectively handing a walkover to the Pakistani side.
The parliamentary style debate was to be held on the motion, “This House Believes That India’s Policy Towards Pakistan Is a Populist Strategy Sold as Security Policy”. The event had been in preparation for several months, with formal invitations issued by the Oxford Union in June 2025 and confirmations received from both sides.
On the Pakistan side, the confirmed speakers were:
▪ General (Retd) Zubair Mahmood Hayat, former Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee
▪ Ms Hina Rabbani Khar, former Foreign Minister of Pakistan
▪ Dr Mohammad Faisal, High Commissioner of Pakistan to the United Kingdom
The Indian side had confirmed the participation of:
▪ General M. M. Naravane, former Chief of Army Staff
▪ Dr Subramanian Swamy, former Law Minister and academic
▪ Mr Sachin Pilot, former Deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan
The Pakistani speakers had already arrived in London and were scheduled to proceed to Oxford today. Earlier this morning, however, the Oxford Union informed the organizers that all three Indian speakers had decided to pull out, offering no substantive explanation for their inability to attend a debate they had previously confirmed.
This sudden withdrawal has caused considerable embarrassment for the Oxford Union, one of the world’s leading debating societies, and has deprived its members of a rare opportunity to hear a structured, fact based exchange on a critical regional issue. It is particularly noteworthy that Indian members of the Union significantly outnumber Pakistani members. Yet even in what could reasonably be described as a friendly environment, the Indian side chose not to submit its policies to open scrutiny and a student vote.
The Pakistan High Commission believes that this last minute decision reflects a lack of confidence on the part of the Indian delegation in defending India’s Pakistan policy in an open, rules based forum. While Indian officials and commentators routinely engage in aggressive rhetoric through partisan media platforms, their representatives were unwilling to test those claims in a neutral and intellectually rigorous debate.
Pakistan remains committed to reasoned dialogue, responsible statecraft and peaceful dispute resolution. Pakistan’s delegation came prepared to argue its case on the strength of facts, international law and regional stability considerations. The unilateral withdrawal of the Indian delegation has transformed what should have been a serious exchange of ideas into a missed opportunity that raises further questions about India’s willingness to engage in good faith.
The Pakistan High Commission appreciates the efforts of the Oxford Union and its student leadership, and stands ready to participate in any future event that promotes informed, respectful and substantive dialogue on South Asian peace and security.
The Pakistani delegation had been looking forward to engage in a civilized, reasoned discussion with an Indian side that was its equal in stature and profile. Sadly, India’s decision to withdraw its listed speakers at the last minute has ensured that this was no longer possible.
Published on : November 27, 2025
Last Update : November 27, 2025