It's no secret that there is a deep divide between India and Pakistan. The partition of British India into the separate nations of India and Pakistan was a bloody and traumatic event, and the two countries have been in conflict ever since. One of the key issues that have kept the two countries at odds is the issue of Muslim citizenship.
Pakistan was created as a Muslim-majority state, and its constitution grants citizenship to any person who professes Islam. India, on the other hand, is a secular state with no official religion. While there is a significant Muslim minority in India, the country does not grant automatic citizenship to Muslims.
This difference in policy has led to a situation where many Indian Muslims feel like second-class citizens in their own country. Over the years, there have been a number of high-profile cases of Indian Muslims being denied citizenship or deported from Pakistan.
There are a number of reasons why Muslim countries are reluctant to grant citizenship to Indian Muslims.
One of the key reasons is the fear that Indian Muslims will eventually outnumber Pakistan's Muslim population. This is a genuine concern in a country like Pakistan where the population is already close to 180 million.
Another reason is the fear that Indian Muslims will bring with them a culture that is incompatible with Pakistan's Islamic values. This is a valid concern given the fact that India is a secular state and its culture is very different from Pakistan's.
In addition, many Muslim countries are concerned about the potential for radicalization amongst Indian Muslims. They fear that if large numbers of Indian Muslims were to migrate to their countries, it would lead to a rise in Islamic extremism.
Finally, there is a general feeling amongst Muslim countries that India is not doing enough to protect the rights of its Muslim minority. This is particularly the case when it comes to the issue of cow slaughter, which is banned in most Muslim countries.
However, the biggest reason why Muslim countries are reluctant to accept Indian Muslims as citizens is the fear of terrorism. India has been the target of multiple terrorist attacks by Pakistan-based groups, and there is a worry that granting citizenship to Indian Muslims will only increase the risk of terrorism.
Given the deep divisions between India and Pakistan, it is unlikely that Muslim countries will change their stance on citizenship anytime soon. Indian Muslims will continue to be second-class citizens in their own country, and the risk of terrorism will continue to haunt Pakistan.
While there are a number of reasons why Muslim countries are not ready to accept all Indian Muslims as their citizens, it is important to remember that the vast majority of Muslims in India are peaceful and law-abiding. They should not be lumped together with the small minority of extremists who are seeking to spread hatred and violence.