India Rejects OIC’s Kashmir References, Criticises Group for Giving Platform to Pakistan

India has rejected references to Jammu and Kashmir made by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), describing them as unwarranted and factually incorrect. New Delhi also criticised the grouping for providing a platform to Pakistan to raise the Kashmir issue at international forums.

The Indian response came after the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir discussed the issue and issued references concerning the region. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reiterated India’s position that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are integral parts of the country and that the OIC has no locus standi to comment on India’s internal affairs.

The MEA said the OIC’s repeated references to Jammu and Kashmir were inappropriate and did not alter India’s established position on the matter. New Delhi has consistently maintained that issues concerning Jammu and Kashmir are internal matters and has rejected attempts by external organisations to intervene in them.

Pakistan, meanwhile, has continued to raise the Kashmir issue through international platforms. During the OIC Contact Group meeting, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar reiterated Islamabad’s position on Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan called on OIC member states to maintain what it described as a unified position on the issue at the United Nations and other international forums.

Dar also referred to relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and Pakistan’s stated position that the Kashmir issue should be resolved through a peaceful settlement reflecting the aspirations of the people of the region. India strongly objected to the OIC’s decision to discuss the matter and questioned the organisation’s credibility on the issue. The MEA criticised the grouping for repeatedly endorsing what New Delhi described as Pakistan’s politically motivated narrative on Jammu and Kashmir.

New Delhi also criticised the OIC for giving Pakistan a platform to raise allegations against India. The MEA said the organisation should instead focus on issues such as terrorism and urged it to address concerns relating to terrorism emanating from territories under Pakistan’s control. India has repeatedly accused Pakistan of supporting terrorism and has called on Islamabad to take concrete measures against terrorist groups operating from its territory. Pakistan has rejected such allegations.