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India has strongly criticised the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for raising the Kashmir issue and making what New Delhi described as anti-India remarks in a resolution adopted at a meeting in Baghdad on October 17-18.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs rejected the resolution as “hostile, biased and false”, alleging that Pakistan had influenced the move to advance its own agenda. New Delhi also urged Islamabad to vacate Azad Kashmir, which India claims is under Pakistan’s illegal occupation.
The OIC, a grouping of 57 Muslim-majority countries, including Bangladesh, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, recently raised the Kashmir issue again, prompting a strong response from India.
In its statement, the Indian foreign ministry accused the organisation of allowing itself to be used by Pakistan to pursue its “narrow agenda”.
Reiterating its position that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are integral and inalienable parts of India, the ministry said the regions had recorded significant economic progress in infrastructure, tourism and connectivity since the abrogation of Article 370.
It said local residents were directly benefiting from these developments.
India also criticised Pakistan over the situation in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, accusing its authorities of using violence and repression against civilian protesters and causing the deaths of many people, including women and children.
The ministry said a media blackout in the territory had failed to conceal alleged human rights violations.
Responding to the OIC’s remarks on Islamophobia, India accused Pakistan of attempting to divert international attention from what it described as religious violence, persecution of minorities, administrative failures and political instability within Pakistan.
Questioning the OIC’s credibility and impartiality, the Indian foreign ministry expressed hope that member states would recognise the organisation’s alleged shortcomings and undertake reforms.
The latest exchange highlights continuing tensions between India and Pakistan over Kashmir, a disputed region claimed in full by both countries but administered in separate parts.
