India Slams OIC Reference to Jammu and Kashmir

India has rejected the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC s) reference to Jammu and Kashmir at the Makkah summit as Unacceptable.

OIC Reference to J and K

In its final communique at the Makkah summit:

• OIC reiterated its support for the legitimate rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir in accordance with the United Nations resolutions.
• OIC even appointed Yousef Aldobeay of Saudi Arabia as OIC’s special envoy for Jammu and Kashmir.

India categorically rejected the reference to matters internal to India in the Final Communiqu adopted at the conclusion of the 14th Islamic Summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. India reiterated that OIC has no locus standi in matters relating to the state of Jammu and Kashmir, which is an integral part of India and asked OIC to refrain from making such unwarranted references.

Organisation of Islamic Cooperation

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation is an international organization founded in 1969. It consists of 57 member states with 53 countries being Muslim-majority countries. OIC aims:

• To be the collective voice of the Muslim world.
• To safeguard and protect the interests of the Muslim world in the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony.

OIC has permanent delegations to the United Nations and the European Union.

India’s strained relationship with Pakistan has a direct impact on India-OIC relations. Pakistan is a founding member of the OIC. OIC refers to the state of Jammu and Kashmir as “occupied by India”. India has made a case for the OIC to accept India as a member since about 11% of all Muslims worldwide live in India. Pakistan opposes India’s entry into the OIC citing human rights issues and problems faced by the Kashmiris in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir