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First Afridi, Now Azerbaijan: Malayali Diaspora Group WMC Promotes Tourism In Azerbaijan Which Supported Pakistan During Operation Sindoor

June 9, 2025
The Commune

The World Malayalee Council (WMC), a prominent organization representing the global Malayali diaspora, has come under fire for its decision to host the 14th Biennial Global Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, on 28-29 June 2025. The announcement has triggered widespread outrage, especially in light of Azerbaijan’s recent public support for Pakistan during India’s counter-terror operation, Operation Sindoor, conducted in May 2025.

The WMC’s promotional material for the conference has been criticized for resembling a tourism advertisement rather than an international cultural and professional gathering. Marketed as the “Exciting WMC Global Conference Package,” the event offers a range of travel and leisure activities, including luxury hotel stays, daily meals, guided city tours, sightseeing at prominent locations like Fountain Square, the Fire Temple, and the Blazing Mountains, as well as gala dinners, DJ parties, and dance performances — both Arabic and Western.

Critics argue that the tone and content of the promotions appear to trivialize the political sensitivities surrounding Azerbaijan’s stance toward India, especially in the wake of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 Indian pilgrims. Following the attack, Azerbaijan, alongside Turkey, had issued strong statements of solidarity with Pakistan and reportedly supplied arms that were used by Pakistan in the conflict, including Turkish-made drones. This prompted widespread calls for an Indian boycott of both Turkey and Azerbaijan.

Despite the diplomatic tensions, the WMC has actively encouraged Malayalis across the globe to “visit and experience Azerbaijan,” further escalating the backlash. Many online users and political commentators have accused the WMC of undermining national sentiment by promoting tourism to a nation viewed by many Indians as hostile.

The controversy has gained additional traction due to the WMC’s political reach. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had inaugurated the 14th Biennial Global Conference of the WMC during a pre-event held in Thiruvananthapuram in August 2024. The group is known for its influence within the Malayali expatriate community and has hosted several high-profile political figures over the years.

Some commentators now argue that hosting the event in Baku risks legitimizing Azerbaijan diplomatically among Indians and could sway public opinion at a time when national unity against cross-border terrorism is critical.

Parallels to Recent Afridi Controversy

The WMC incident follows closely on the heels of another controversy involving the Cochin University B.Tech Alumni Association (CUBAA), which drew intense criticism for inviting former Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi to a cultural event in Dubai on May 25, 2025. Afridi, a vocal critic of Indian security forces, had referred to them as “inefficient” after the Pahalgam incident and had led a car rally in Pakistan celebrating what he termed a “victory” against India post-Operation Sindoor.

Following public uproar, CUBAA issued an apology, claiming that Afridi’s presence at the event was “unannounced and unsolicited.”

(With inputs from OpIndia)

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