India on Wednesday rejected references to Jammu and Kashmir made by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Contact Group, saying the grouping had no locus standi to comment on matters that New Delhi considers strictly internal to India.
In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs described the OIC’s references to Jammu and Kashmir as “unwarranted and factually incorrect”.
The MEA reiterated India’s position that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are integral and inalienable parts of the country.
OIC Contact Group Meets in New York
The Indian response came after the OIC Ministerial Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir met on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
According to the OIC, Secretary-General Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed reaffirmed the organisation’s support for what it described as the Kashmiri people’s “right to self-determination”. The OIC also expressed concern over the humanitarian, human rights and security situation in the region.
The OIC statement called for the revocation of what it described as unilateral measures taken since 2019 and said the Kashmir issue should remain on the international agenda.
The Contact Group comprises Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and Niger.
India Questions OIC’s Credibility
The MEA said the OIC’s repeated endorsement of what it described as “politically motivated propaganda” raised questions about the organisation’s credibility.
New Delhi also objected to what it described as attempts to raise the Jammu and Kashmir issue at international forums.
The Indian government has consistently maintained that Jammu and Kashmir is an internal matter and has rejected external involvement in the issue.
‘Go Counsel Pakistan’: India’s Response
In a direct reference to Pakistan, the MEA said the OIC would be “better advised to counsel Pakistan” instead of providing a platform for what New Delhi described as “fabricated and motivated propaganda”.
India also accused Pakistan of having a “well-documented record of supporting and sponsoring terrorism” and called on Islamabad to address what it described as the continuing threat of terrorism emanating from territories under its control.
These characterisations are part of the Indian government’s response to Pakistan’s position and are not independent findings in the OIC statement.
Pakistan Raises Kashmir at OIC Meeting
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also addressed the OIC Contact Group meeting.
According to the report, Dar urged OIC members to maintain a unified position on Jammu and Kashmir at the United Nations and other international forums.
He called for the reversal of measures taken by India since August 5, 2019, sought the release of political prisoners and called for access for international observers.
The OIC’s official account of the meeting similarly says its secretary-general reiterated the organisation’s position on self-determination and international consideration of the Kashmir issue.
India-OIC Dispute Over Kashmir
The latest exchange reflects the continuing disagreement between New Delhi and the OIC over the status and international treatment of Jammu and Kashmir.
While the OIC Contact Group continues to advocate international attention to the issue, India maintains that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of the country and rejects the OIC’s involvement in what it regards as an internal matter.
