India rejects OIC's Kashmir remarks, accuses Pakistan of manipulation

New Delhi: India has strongly criticized the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for its "unwarranted and factually incorrect" remarks on Jammu and Kashmir during the 51st Session of its Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM), held in Istanbul on June 21–22. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) firmly rejected the statements, emphasizing that the OIC has no authority to comment on India’s internal affairs. It accused the organization of being manipulated by Pakistan for political purposes.

The MEA statement pointed out that Pakistan has consistently used the OIC platform to push its anti-India narrative and distract from its severe internal issues, including state-sponsored terrorism, persecution of minorities, and governance failures. Referring to Pakistan’s remarks at the Istanbul meeting, the ministry called them a “desperate attempt” to shift focus from its misdeeds.

India also rejected Pakistan’s allegations of "unprovoked and unjustified military aggression" and justified its recent Operation Sindoor, conducted in response to the deadly Pahalgam terror attack. India described the operation as a legitimate act of self-defence targeting terrorist camps in Pakistan. The MEA condemned Pakistan’s failed retaliatory actions, which endangered civilians and caused casualties.

The MEA expressed disappointment at the OIC’s continued failure to acknowledge the threat of terrorism originating from Pakistan. It stressed that such neglect undermines the organization’s credibility and global fight against terrorism. India reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of the country, constitutionally and territorially, and not open to external interference.

In a broader context, India highlighted its longstanding concern over the OIC being used for political agendas against it, particularly by Pakistan. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri reiterated that India has frequently raised these concerns with OIC members, urging them not to fall prey to Pakistan’s propaganda.

Despite the tension, India underscored its strong and growing ties with many Islamic nations. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, India has significantly deepened its engagement with the Muslim world, especially in the Gulf, Central Asia, and South Asia. Bilateral trade with OIC member countries has surpassed $200 billion, reflecting strategic and economic cooperation.

India urged the OIC to resist being used by countries with poor records on religious tolerance and human rights, cautioning that continuing such biased references only erodes the OIC's relevance and credibility on the international stage.