Indonesia’s largest Islamic organization, Nahdlatul Ulama, has extended strong support to India, emphasizing a joint fight against terrorism and the promotion of global peace. During a recent meeting with an all-party Indian parliamentary delegation in Jakarta, the organization’s Executive Board Chairman, K.H. Ulil Abshar Abdullah, condemned violence in the name of religion, calling it a serious threat. He stressed that Islam is a religion of peace and warned that the biggest victims of religious terrorism are Muslims themselves.
Abdullah highlighted the importance of Muslim responsibility in combating extremism and shared Indonesia’s experience in handling radicalism. He noted the common challenges faced by both India and Indonesia, including terrorism, and pointed out that both countries aspire for political stability, economic growth, and peaceful coexistence.
The NU leader acknowledged India’s deep-rooted influence on Indonesian civilization and called for stronger people-to-people engagement between the two nations. JDU MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, who led the Indian delegation, appreciated Abdullah’s understanding of India’s concerns and his support for India’s position at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
Jha also mentioned the recent Pahalgam terror attack, condemning it as an attempt to disrupt India’s communal harmony by targeting innocents based on their religion. The delegation further engaged with leaders from Indonesia’s National Mandate Party, prominent think tanks, and academic institutions.
The Indian MPs highlighted Pakistan’s role in fostering terrorism, a point that was reportedly acknowledged by Indonesian leaders who assured their full support to India. According to the Indian Embassy in Jakarta, the primary goal of the visit was to counter misinformation about India and reinforce its firm stance against terrorism on international platforms. The delegation included MPs from BJP, Congress, TMC, CPI(M), and other parties.
