The recently-concluded OIC-CFM hosted by Islamabad has irked India which has resorted to rhetoric against the global body. Kashmir was on the agenda during the summit which was not well-received and instead India has resorted to discredit the Islamic organization.
India even rebuked Chinese foreign minister for his remarks that “China shares the same hopes” as OIC on Kashmir. The Chinese dignitary extended an olive branch to normalize ties with India during an unannounced visit to New Delhi after a deadly border clash two years ago. India didn’t reciprocate and said ties cannot return to normal until troops are pulled backed from the disputed border.
India’s attempts to discredit the OIC are a matter of concern for all Muslim countries. It is the second largest inter-governmental organization after the UN with 57 members. It is called the ‘collective voice of the Muslim world” to protect their interests. Despite the inability to take concrete action, the OIC has advocated the Kashmir dispute and condemned human rights abuses in Indian-occupied Kashmir.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs went on to discredit the entire outcome and resolutions of the OIC meeting in Islamabad, saying they were based on ‘falsehoods’. Such irresponsible statements are absurd and must be highly condemned. India should be reminded how the persecution of Muslims under state patronage have become a norm there and has restricted space for minorities.
India has a fractious relationship with OIC since inception. It was invited to the founding conference in 1969 but was ejected after objections from Pakistan. Thirty-seven years later, in 2006, India was given an ‘observer’ status but still chose to stay away. Despite India’s position in global politics, OIC has denounced blatant discrimination, intolerance and violence against Muslim in India.
The OIC meeting in Islamabad concluded with a resolve to protect the Kashmir and Palestine cause. Any attempt to disregard these resolutions must be strongly death with, along any concerted campaign by India to bring the organization into disrepute and make it irrelevant. Pakistan has an even greater responsibility to exert itself and thwart India’s nefarious designs.
