India Criticizes Pakistan's OIC Tactics, Calls It a Longstanding Habit

Synopsis

India has once again voiced its disapproval of Pakistan's ongoing attempts to discuss India's internal matters at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), describing it as a long-standing habit. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri emphasized India's stance against these manipulative tactics during a press briefing ahead of PM Modi's visit to Saudi Arabia.

Key Takeaways

India condemns Pakistan's attempts to misuse the OIC.
Misri emphasizes the long-standing nature of these tactics.
The OIC has 57 member states representing the Muslim world.
India asserts the OIC has no stance on its internal affairs.
PM Modi's visit to Saudi Arabia marks significant diplomatic engagement.

New Delhi, April 19 (NationPress) India has once again criticized Pakistan's persistent efforts to bring up issues related to India's internal matters during the sessions of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

During a press briefing prior to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri refuted Pakistan's misleading assertions and attempts to manipulate the forum.

"It is a habit of longstanding, one that we have consistently condemned and raised with our allies and partners within the OIC. There is a clear perception regarding these shenanigans that Pakistan engages in at the OIC among our colleagues and friends from other member states. We will persist in voicing our views and highlighting what we believe about Pakistan's habitual attempts," Misri stated to the media in New Delhi.

The OIC, which consists of 57 member states across four continents, identifies itself as the "collective voice" of the Muslim world and strives to "safeguard and protect" the interests of Muslims while promoting global peace and harmony.

In recent years, India has emphasized the need to address the misrepresentations about India perpetuated by countries like Pakistan in the OIC, insisting that this platform should not be misused for comments on India's internal issues or for anti-India propaganda through skewed resolutions.

India maintains that the OIC has no standing in matters strictly related to India's internal affairs, including the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, which is an integral and inalienable part of India.

"It is regrettable that the OIC continues to permit itself to be exploited by a nation with a deplorable history of religious tolerance, radicalism, and minority persecution to engage in anti-India propaganda. We strongly urge the OIC to avoid such references in the future," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has previously remarked, referring to Pakistan's ongoing attempts.

India has a rich historical, economic, and strategic relationship with the Islamic world, which has been further enhanced over the past decade under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's guidance.

Many analysts believe that PM Modi has strengthened India's connections with Muslim-majority nations in South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East, thereby bolstering India's security and economic standing.

As PM Modi continues to engage with the Islamic world, particularly the Arab nations, India's interactions with the Gulf region—supplying over 60 percent of India's crude oil—and the OIC countries, with bilateral trade surpassing $200 billion, have become increasingly robust and multifaceted over the last 10 years.

Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to arrive in Saudi Arabia for a two-day visit starting April 22, invited by Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. This marks PM Modi's third visit to the Kingdom, following his trips in 2016 and 2019, and comes after Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's State Visit to New Delhi in September 2023 for the G20 Summit and the inaugural meeting of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council.