India Rejects OIC Remarks on Kashmir

Why in News? 

Recently, India strongly objected to comments made about the country at a meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. The Indian government said the references were misleading and matters like Jammu and Kashmir are internal issues.

Key Highlights of India Rejects OIC Remarks on Kashmir

• • Date and Venue
    • The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation hosted its 15th Islamic Summit at the Council of Foreign Ministers level in Istanbul, Türkiye, from June 21 to 22, 2025.

• Participating Countries:

• • • Around 40 officials at the level of foreign or deputy foreign ministers attended.
    • Approximately 1,000 delegates were present, representing the 57 member states, observers, and international bodies like the UN and Arab League.

• Primary Focus:

• • • The session’s theme was “The OIC in a Transforming World”, reflecting global shifts and regional unrest.
    • Special emphasis was given to the Israel–Iran conflict and the humanitarian strain in Gaza, with calls for solidarity and urgent diplomacy.

• Key Outcomes:

• • • The ministers issued the “Istanbul Declaration”, reaffirming the OIC’s mission to bolster unity, foster reforms, and enhance global impact.
    • During the summit, the OIC strongly criticized air strikes carried out by Israel and the United States on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
    • On Turkmenistan’s suggestion, a resolution on neutrality as a tool for peace was unanimously adopted.

• Resolution Mentioning India:

• • The meeting’s final declaration noted military escalation in South Asia, referring to recent strikes in Pakistan and POK, while urging both India and Pakistan to comply with treaties like the Indus Waters Treaty.

India’s Official Response to OIC Resolution Mentioning India

• India’s Ministry of External Affairs issued an immediate and resolute rejection of the OIC’s references on 23 June 2025.
• It firmly said that such references lack any basis in reality and do not reflect the actual situation.
• India accused Pakistan of weaponizing terrorism as a tool of state policy, stating this politicises the OIC platform.
• India described Jammu & Kashmir as “an integral and sovereign part of India,” anchored in the Constitution and “irreversibly settled”.
• India drew attention to the 22 April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack as a tragic example.
• India clarified that Operation Sindoor, launched in late April 2025, targeted terrorist camps across the border, not Pakistani military bases.
• The MEA called it “ironic” for Pakistan—described as sheltering terrorists and violating human rights—to lecture India on these same issues.
• India urged the OIC to reconsider its stance and stop allowing itself to be influenced.

India’s Consistent Stand on Kashmir 

• Since 1947, India has held a firm view that Jammu and Kashmir is an inseparable part of its territory.
• On 26 October 1947, Jammu and Kashmir legally joined the Indian Union through the Instrument of Accession.
  • The MEA has repeatedly emphasized that the accession remains final and binding under international law.
• India maintains that any dialogue concerning Kashmir should happen directly between India and Pakistan.
  • This principle dates back to the Simla Agreement (1972), which reaffirmed that all issues must not be resolved through third‑party mediation.
• On 5 August 2019, India revoked Article 370 and reorganized J&K into two Union Territories. 
  • The MEA clarified that this move was a sovereign decision aimed at reinforcing governance, and national integration.
• India has encouraged local democratic processes post-2019. In September 2024, it invited foreign diplomats to observe the first local elections in a decade. 
  • More than 9 million voters participated across three phases. This act reinforced India’s position that stable democracy is essential in Kashmir.

Overview of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)

• Origin and Evolution:

• • • Founded in response to the Al-Aqsa Mosque fire on 21 August 1969, the inaugural summit was held in Rabat, Morocco, from 22–25 September 1969.
    • Officially established by its Charter on 25 September 1969, it became effective in March 1972.
    • Initially named the Organisation of the Islamic Conference, it rebranded as the OIC during the 38th Council of Foreign Ministers in June 2011.

• Membership:

• • • The OIC now includes 57 member states, with 48 being Muslim-majority, spanning Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America.
    • As of 2025, these countries represent over 2 billion people, nearly a quarter of the world’s population.
    • There are 5 observer states, including Russia, Thailand, and Bosnia & Herzegovina.

• Objectives:

• • • The core aim of the OIC is to bring Muslim-majority countries together to protect shared interests and promote peace at the global level.
    • Its Charter outlines goals such as promoting solidarity, defending Islamic values, enhancing cooperation and resolving disputes amicably.
    • The organisation also focuses on human rights (within Islamic law), humanitarian action, and fighting extremism through entities like ICHAD.

• Institutional Structure:

• • • Islamic Summit: Heads of state meet roughly every three years to set the overall direction.
    • Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM): Convened annually and serves as the primary policy body.
    • Secretary-General: Elected for five years and heads the Secretariat in Jeddah; currently Hissein Brahim Taha.
    • Charter: Defines structure, including committees, commissions, and legal frameworks across 18 chapters and 39 articles.

• Global Role:

• • Represents the collective voice of the Muslim world at the United Nations, EU, and other international forums.
  • EU-OIC ties are formalized via a 2015 MoU, encompassing dialogue and collaboration across multiple sectors.

India-Gulf Strong Relations 

• Ties with Gulf Countries: India has woven deep economic and strategic connections with Gulf states over the past decade. 

• Trade with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)—including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain—reached around US $162 billion in 2023–24, making it India’s largest regional trading bloc. 

• In 2024, India and the GCC launched a joint action plan towards a comprehensive economic and security partnership.

• Subtle Diplomatic Shift:

• • • At the recent OIC meeting, the GCC inserted a brief condemnation of terrorism into the final text—toning down Pakistan’s more pointed language.
    • This signal shows that Gulf nations are careful not to alienate India, reflecting their desire to balance political affiliations with economic ties. 

• Economic Interests:

• • • Gulf states rely heavily on energy exports to India; 44.6% of India’s crude oil imports in 2024 came from the Middle East, especially the Gulf.
    • Any diplomatic rift that might disrupt this flow, especially given global volatility around the Strait of Hormuz, would be costly.
    • India finalized a Free Trade Agreement with the United Arab Emirates in 2022 and is currently moving toward a similar deal with Oman.

• Geopolitical Context:

• • India sees Gulf engagement as part of its “Link West” policy, which seeks to deepen ties with West Asia and Africa alongside India’s Indo-Pacific focus.
  • Gulf partners, meanwhile, are navigating complex global dynamics—including U.S.–China competition.
  • Defense collaboration continues to expand, with joint maritime exercises and security dialogues between India and countries such as the UAE, Oman, and Saudi Arabia.