India Hits Back At OIC Over Kashmir Resolution, Accuses Pakistan Of Anti-India Agenda

India on Monday, October 19, rejected references to Jammu and Kashmir in resolutions adopted at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) foreign ministers’ meeting in Baghdad, accusing Pakistan of misusing the grouping to advance its anti-India agenda.

In a strongly worded statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) described the references as “malicious, biased, and false” and expressed disappointment that the organisation had once again allowed itself to be used by Pakistan. The OIC’s 52nd Council of Foreign Ministers met in the Iraqi capital on October 17 and 18.

The Baghdad Declaration raised concerns over what it described as a deterioration in the humanitarian, human rights and security situation in Jammu and Kashmir. The OIC also maintained that the Kashmir issue remained unresolved, prompting a fresh diplomatic response from New Delhi.

India asserted that the OIC had no authority to comment on matters strictly internal to the country. It reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh were integral and inalienable parts of India, adding that politically motivated propaganda could not alter this position.

Defending its record in the region, New Delhi highlighted economic growth, infrastructure development, tourism and connectivity since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. The government maintained that these developments had delivered benefits directly to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

India also contrasted the situation in the region with conditions in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), accusing Islamabad of violence, repression and brutality against civilian protesters. The MEA alleged that scores of people, including women and children, had been killed, and said restrictions on media coverage had failed to conceal the alleged violations.

New Delhi reiterated that the outstanding issues concerning Jammu and Kashmir included Pakistan vacating territories under its occupation and ending its support for cross-border terrorism.