Is Pakistan Misusing the OIC Platform for Political Gains?

New Delhi, June 23 (NationPress) India strongly criticized the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Monday, dismissing its "unwarranted and factually incorrect" comments regarding India during the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers' Meeting and reaffirming that it has no right to comment on India's internal matters, including Jammu and Kashmir.

"These statements, instigated by Pakistan, which has transformed terrorism into statecraft, illustrate the ongoing exploitation of the OIC platform for narrow political agendas," stated the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

The 51st Session of the OIC's Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) was conducted in Istanbul, Turkey, on June 21-22. It passed 147 resolutions along with the Istanbul Declaration.

India highlighted the OIC's continuous failure to recognize the real and documented threat of terrorism stemming from Pakistan, recently evidenced by the heinous Pahalgam attack, showing a blatant disregard for facts and the global consensus on combating terrorism.

"The OIC lacks the authority to comment on India's internal matters, including Jammu & Kashmir, which is an essential and sovereign part of India — a fact embedded in the Indian Constitution and irrevocably settled. The OIC should profoundly contemplate the dangers of allowing Pakistan's propaganda to commandeer and politicize its agenda. Any deviation from this could severely undermine the OIC's credibility and relevance," the MEA statement continued.

It further mentioned that Pakistan's remarks at the OIC meeting represent nothing more than a "desperate attempt" to divert international attention from its own dismal record of state-sponsored terrorism, persecution of minorities, and sectarian violence, as well as governance failures.

"India categorically dismisses Pakistan's unfounded claims of 'unprovoked and unjustified military aggression. India's Operation Sindoor, in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, was a precise and legitimate act of self-defense against terrorist camps operating from Pakistani soil. It is absurd for Pakistan to claim it targets only Indian military installations when its retaliatory efforts not only failed but recklessly endangered civilian lives, resulting in numerous casualties among the civilian population," the MEA added.

"It is ironic that Pakistan, a nation with a dismal human rights record and a history of harboring, nurturing, and empowering terrorists, would lecture others on counter-terrorism and human rights," it concluded.

The OIC, comprising 57 member states across four continents, positions itself as the "collective voice" of the Muslim world and seeks to "safeguard and protect" its interests while promoting international peace and harmony among diverse populations.

In April, just prior to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Saudi Arabia, India had called out Pakistan's antics within the OIC, deeming it a 'longstanding habit'.

"This is a longstanding habit that we have consistently criticized and discussed with our allies and partners in the OIC. There is a noticeable perspective among our colleagues and friends within the other OIC member states regarding these tactics that Pakistan employs in the OIC, and we will continue to express our opinions and highlight what we believe to be these habitual attempts by Pakistan," stated Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri while debunking Pakistan's false claims and misuse of the forum.

Over recent years, New Delhi has emphasized the need to rectify the misconceptions about India propagated by nations like Pakistan within the OIC, asserting that the platform should not be manipulated by vested interests for comments on India's internal affairs or anti-India propaganda through biased resolutions.

"It is regrettable that the OIC continues to permit itself to be utilized by a certain country, which has a notorious record on religious tolerance, radicalism, and minority persecution, to engage in anti-India propaganda. We strongly advise the OIC to refrain from making such remarks in the future," the MEA has previously stated, pointing out Pakistan's persistent attempts.

India has enjoyed profound historical, economic, and strategic relationships with the Islamic world, further strengthened in the last decade under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership.

Numerous analysts believe that PM Modi has bolstered India's ties with Muslim-majority nations in South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East to enhance India's security and economy.

As PM Modi continues his outreach to the Islamic world, India's engagement with the Gulf region and OIC countries—where bilateral trade has surpassed $200 billion—has grown increasingly robust and multifaceted over the past eleven years.