An Indian delegation withdrew at the last moment from an Oxford Union debate, failing to face the Pakistani team, resulting in an uncontested victory for Pakistan.
Indian political figures who are known for aggressive rhetoric on television did not appear for the scheduled intellectual exchange, according to official statements.
The Pakistani delegation – comprising Gen (R) Zubair Mahmood Hayat, Hina Rabbani Khar, and Dr Muhammad Faisal – was present in London for the event. The debate was set to address India’s Pakistan policy, described as a strategy centered on provoking public sentiment. India’s withdrawal exposed its narrative on a neutral global platform, the Oxford Union.
According to the Pakistan High Commission in London, Indian leaders who ‘shout on TV channels’ avoid reasoned debate and accountability. Despite a majority of Indian students at Oxford, the Indian side refused to face a vote.
Pakistan stated that India’s so-called ‘security policy’ could not withstand logical questioning, leading Indian representatives to sabotage a pre-scheduled debate to avoid potential embarrassment.
The High Commission added that while Indian analysts frequently engage in anti-Pakistan propaganda on media, they ‘disappeared’ when presented with an open debate. India’s absence at the Oxford Union is being seen as the latest link in a chain of diplomatic and narrative setbacks since May 2025.
Pakistan, which had prepared a clear, well-argued and confident position, said India surrendered even before the debate began – a move that raises questions among India’s own public.
