New Delhi, Sep 24: India on Wednesday rejected references to Jammu and Kashmir in a communique issued by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Contact Group, asserting that the grouping has no role in matters concerning India’s internal affairs.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are “integral and inalienable parts of India” and termed the OIC’s references “unwarranted and factually incorrect”.
“The OIC has no locus standi to pronounce on matters that are strictly internal to India,” the MEA said.
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The ministry also criticised the OIC for repeatedly endorsing what it described as “motivated narratives”, saying this raised questions about the credibility of the organisation.
The MEA further said the OIC should not provide a platform for what it called Pakistan’s “fabricated and motivated propaganda”.
The statement came after the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir met in New York on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
The five-member Contact Group comprises Pakistan, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan and Niger.
During the meeting, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar urged OIC members to maintain a unified diplomatic position on Jammu and Kashmir at the United Nations and other international forums.
Dar also called for the reversal of measures taken by India since August 5, 2019, sought the release of political prisoners and called for access for international observers.
In its communique, the OIC Contact Group reaffirmed its support for what it described as the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination. It also called for the release of political prisoners and implementation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
India has consistently rejected external involvement in matters relating to Jammu and Kashmir, maintaining that the region is an integral part of the country.
