Kashmir – India Questions OIC’s Role in Raising Kashmir Issue at UN Debate
Kashmir – India has expressed strong reservations over the involvement of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in matters related to Jammu and Kashmir, arguing that bodies without direct regional relevance or expertise should avoid intervening in disputes that fall outside their primary scope. The remarks were made during a United Nations Security Council open debate focused on strengthening mechanisms for the peaceful settlement of international disputes.
India Raises Concerns Over External Group Involvement
Addressing the Security Council, India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, P. Harish, said that regional organisations with geographical proximity and a clear understanding of local issues could contribute constructively to conflict resolution. However, he cautioned against the participation of broader cross-regional groupings that are not directly connected to the region or to international peace and security.
Although Harish did not specifically mention the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, his comments were widely understood to be directed at the 57-member bloc, which has repeatedly referred to the Kashmir issue in its official statements over the years.
Statement Delivered During UN Security Council Debate
The remarks came during the Security Council’s open debate on improving peaceful mechanisms for resolving international disputes. The discussion also featured Pakistan’s Permanent Representative, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, who described the Kashmir issue as the central challenge affecting long-term peace and stability in South Asia.
Responding indirectly to that position, India maintained that organisations lacking regional knowledge and technical expertise should refrain from engaging in matters where they have no direct role. According to the Indian delegation, meaningful contributions to dispute resolution require a clear understanding of the local political and security environment.
OIC Has Repeatedly Referred to Kashmir
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation has continued to include Kashmir in several official communications over the years. In one of its recent statements issued by the OIC General Secretariat in October, the organisation reaffirmed what it described as its solidarity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir. It also reiterated its support for what it called their right to self-determination and urged the implementation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
The OIC, whose membership extends across Asia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East, primarily focuses on cooperation among Muslim-majority nations and issues affecting the Islamic world. India has consistently maintained that the organisation has no formal standing in matters concerning Jammu and Kashmir.
India Reiterates Its Position on UN Resolutions
India has repeatedly argued that references to UN Security Council resolutions on Kashmir should be viewed in their complete historical context. The principal resolution adopted in 1948 outlined several steps, including the withdrawal of Pakistani troops and nationals from territories under Pakistan’s control before any subsequent political process could move forward.
New Delhi has long maintained that these initial conditions were never fulfilled. It has also accused Pakistan of continuing to support cross-border terrorism, a charge Islamabad has consistently denied.
Diplomatic Differences Continue
The exchange at the United Nations reflects the continuing diplomatic differences between India and Pakistan over Kashmir, an issue that frequently surfaces in international forums despite India’s position that it remains a bilateral matter. New Delhi has consistently opposed the involvement of third-party organisations in the dispute, while Pakistan continues to seek international attention on the subject through multilateral platforms.
The latest remarks by India’s representative underline the country’s broader position that only organisations with appropriate regional legitimacy, geographical relevance and practical expertise should have a role in discussions aimed at resolving international disputes.