Kashmir, India and OIC

India has condemned the statements of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation on Kashmir and advised the international grouping to refrain from making such statements based on viewpoints of countries like Pakistan.

Second largest International Organisation after United Nation, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) members 57 countries and voices muslims all over the world. It was established in 1969.
It endeavors to safeguard and protect the interests of the Muslim world in the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony among various people of the world.
Among the OIC’s key bodies: the Islamic Summit, the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM), the General Secretariat, in addition to the Al-Quds Committee and three permanent committees concerned with science and technology, economy and trade, and information and culture.
There are also specialized organs under the banner of the OIC including the Islamic Development Bank and the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, as well as subsidiary and affiliate organs that play a vital role in boosting cooperation in various fields among the OIC member states.

When formed in 1969, initially India was invited but later the Pakistan government lobbied to dis-invite India.
In 2018, Bangladesh put a proposal to OIC to give Observer status, as India has 10% of world’s muslim population.
In 2019, UAE called India as a guest of honour at the OIC meeting. The then Foregien Minister Sushma Swaraj participated in that event.
At present, India is neither a member nor an observer of the OIC.

OIC stands with Pakistan on Kashmir. Every summit includes the Kashmir issue and criticises alleged Indian atrocities in J&K.
Since the abrogation of article 370, Pakistan has been using the OIC platform to criticize India.
But to India’s surprise only a handful of countries such as Turkey and Malaysia have come with public condemnation against India.

India has always been clear that Jammu and Kashmir is “an integral part of India and is a matter strictly internal to India”.

Though the OIC platform has always been used against India, countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bangladesh, Maldives etc have been supporting India’s stand.
Pakistan’s call for Kashmir is diminishing in the international community, India is advocating the terrorism sponsoring of Pakistan and its cross border terrorism to nullyfy the viewpoints.

Today Current Affairs Upsc Exam Syllabus & Previous Yearpaper.