INDIA REJECTS OIC’S STATEMENT ON JAMMU AND KASHMIR

CONTEXT: India strongly rejected a statement on Jammu and Kashmir by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and asked it to refrain from allowing vested interests to exploit its platform for comments on internal affairs of the country. The strong comments by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) came in response to the statement issued by the General Secretariat of the OIC on the second anniversary of the withdrawal of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir.

Analysis:

  • On August 5, 2019, India announced the withdrawal of the special powers of Jammu and Kashmir and its decision to bifurcate the state into two union territories.
  • In the statement, the OIC General Secretariat reiterated its “call to revoke all these steps”.
  • The OIC General Secretariat also reiterated its call on the international community to increase its efforts to resolve the issue of Jammu and Kashmir in accordance with the “relevant UN Security Council resolutions”.
  • The OIC is a grouping of Muslim-majority nations.

                                                                                                        ABOUT OIC

  • The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is the second largest inter-governmental organisation after the United Nations, with the membership of 57 states, covering four continents.
  • The OIC is the collective voice of the Muslim world to ensure and safeguard their interest on economic socio and political areas.
  • It was established upon a decision of the historical summit which took place in Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco in September 1969.
  • The OIC has Institutions, which implement its programmes.
  • Its Headquarters is in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
  • India is not a member of the OIC.

Reference: The Week