India’s response:

India said, OIC has no locus standi in matters relating to J&K being an integral part of India.

India reiterated that OIC should refrain from making such unwarranted references.

What did the OIC say?

• The OIC affirmed its support for the people of J&K for the realization of their legitimate right to self-determination, in accordance with relevant UN resolutions.
• It condemned the recent outbreaks of violence in the region and invited India to implement the relevant Security Council resolutions to settle its protracted conflict with its neighbour.
• It also called for the expedited establishment of a UN commission of inquiry to investigate into the alleged HR violations in Kashmir.
• It called on India to allow this proposed commission and international human rights organizations to access Indian-occupied Kashmir.
• It approved the appointment of Saudi Arabia’s Yousef Aldobeay as its Special Envoy for Jammu and Kashmir.

India and the OIC:

Last year, Bangladesh had suggested that India, where more than 10% of the world’s Muslims live, should be given Observer status, but Pakistan had opposed the proposal.

However, EAM Sushma Swaraj had addressed the Inaugural Plenary of the 46th Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the OIC in Abu Dhabi on March 1 this year.

Way ahead for India:

India has consistently and emphatically underlined that Jammu and Kashmir is an “integral part of India and is a matter strictly internal to India.

The strength with which India has made this assertion has varied slightly at times, but never the core message. OIC having no locus standi on J&K itself is stronger statement.