India slams Organisation of Islamic Cooperation for its reference on Kashmir
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India has slammed the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for its references on Kashmir in its final Communiqué at its summit in Mecca, Saudi Arabia on May 31.
Rejecting the OIC Communiqué, the Ministry of External Affairs in a statement said, "The OIC has no locus standi in matters relating to the state of Jammu and Kashmir, which is an integral part of India. It is reiterated that OIC should refrain from making such unwarranted references”.
The OIC in its Communiqué mentioned Kashmir six times and said, it "reaffirmed its principled support for the people of Jammu and Kashmir for the realization of their legitimate right to self-determination".
It is not for the first time when the OIC has made references on Kashmir. India has slammed the group, which comprises 57 Muslim countries, every time.
Since the early 1990s, communiqués and resolutions have been issued at the OIC summits and ministerial meetings which have included one-sided criticism of India. Pakistan has been behind such anti-India references in the OIC communiqués/resolutions.
Former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj was invited for the 46th OIC foreign ministers meet at Abu Dhabi on March 1. She was in attendance as the Guest of Honour. The invite was extended by foreign minister of the United Arab Emirates Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Many countries such as Bangladesh, Pakistan has been creating resistance.
Speaking at a press conference at the end of Abu Dhabi foreign ministers meet, where India was invited on March 1, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan said, "OIC has sent a very clear and a positive sign to India, to the people of India, that the OIC appreciates the relationship with India".
Adding, that the organisation, "looks forward to strengthening such a relationship with India to the point where we can embrace India one day in the OIC".
Pakistan boycotted the plenary session at the OIC foreign minister's meet due to India's presence. Pakistan's foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi had written to OIC secretary-general Dr Yousef bin Ahmad Al Othaimeen asking the UAE to rescind the invite to India. The plea did not receive any response.
Earlier this year, Syrian envoy to India Dr Riad Abbas, told WION, "India has full right to be a permanent member of the OIC and we would like to be a full member of the OIC."
In 1969, the Indian delegation led by Congress leader Fakrudin Ali Ahmed, who later became the President of India, was not allowed to attend the final session of the OIC in Rabat, Morocco at the behest of Pakistan's then-president, Yahya Khan.