New Delhi– India on Monday strongly criticized the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for what it called “unwarranted and factually incorrect” remarks regarding Jammu and Kashmir, made during the recent OIC Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Istanbul. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) firmly stated that the OIC has no standing to comment on India’s internal matters.
“These statements, driven by Pakistan — a country that has turned terrorism into statecraft — reflect the continued misuse of the OIC platform for narrow political ends,” the MEA said in a sharply worded statement.
The 51st Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers, held in Istanbul on June 21–22, adopted 147 resolutions and issued the Istanbul Declaration. However, India took issue with references to Kashmir and other matters it considers internal affairs.
New Delhi condemned the OIC’s failure to acknowledge the growing threat of terrorism from Pakistan, pointing to the recent Pahalgam terror attack as further evidence. The MEA criticized the OIC for “willful disregard” of these threats and accused the organization of allowing its agenda to be hijacked by Pakistani propaganda.
“The OIC has no locus standi to comment on India’s internal affairs, including Jammu and Kashmir, which is an integral part of India — a fact enshrined in our Constitution and irrevocably settled,” the statement said. “The OIC must reflect deeply on the consequences of permitting such politicization. Any other course undermines its credibility and relevance.”
India also rejected Pakistan’s allegations of “unprovoked and unjustified military aggression.” The MEA described Operation Sindoor — India’s response to the Pahalgam attack — as a “precise and legitimate act of self-defense” targeting terrorist camps operating from Pakistani soil.
“It is absurd for Pakistan to claim it only targeted military installations,” the MEA stated, noting that Pakistan’s retaliatory strikes endangered civilian lives and caused multiple civilian casualties.
“It is ironic that Pakistan — a country with an appalling human rights record and a long history of harboring terrorists — presumes to lecture others on counter-terrorism and human rights,” the MEA added.
The OIC, a bloc of 57 member states across four continents, claims to represent the collective voice of the Muslim world. India, while not a member, has long maintained strong ties with many OIC nations and has frequently objected to the body’s perceived bias in favor of Pakistan.
This latest episode follows India’s earlier objections in April, when Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri criticized Pakistan’s “habitual misuse” of the OIC platform and reiterated that India regularly raises the issue with its partners in the organization.
India has continued to stress the importance of not allowing the OIC to be manipulated by any one member state for political purposes, especially to push anti-India narratives.
Despite such tensions, India’s diplomatic, economic, and strategic ties with the Islamic world have deepened in recent years, particularly under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Bilateral trade between India and OIC member states has surpassed $200 billion, with relations expanding across South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East. (Source: IANS)
