Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jun 23: India issued a sharp rebuke to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Monday, rejecting what it called “unwarranted and factually incorrect” comments made during the OIC’s Council of Foreign Ministers' meeting in Istanbul. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reiterated that the OIC has no authority or legitimacy to comment on India’s internal affairs, especially concerning Jammu and Kashmir, which it emphasized is an integral and sovereign part of India.
The MEA condemned the OIC’s statements as being influenced by Pakistan, accusing Islamabad of turning terrorism into state policy and manipulating international forums like the OIC to serve its political interests. “Such statements reflect a continued misuse of the platform for narrow agendas,” the MEA said in its official response.
The remarks followed the 51st Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers, held on June 21–22 in Turkey, where the group adopted 147 resolutions, including the Istanbul Declaration. India noted the OIC’s consistent failure to recognize Pakistan's role in cross-border terrorism, citing the Pahalgam terror attack as a recent example of Islamabad’s sponsorship of violent extremism.
New Delhi also dismissed Pakistan’s accusations of “unprovoked aggression” in the context of India’s Operation Sindoor, calling the operation a legitimate act of self-defence against terror camps operating from Pakistani territory. It added that Pakistan’s failed retaliatory attempts endangered civilians, not military targets, exposing the recklessness of Islamabad’s approach.
The MEA also criticized Pakistan’s poor human rights record, referencing the persecution of minorities and a pattern of harbouring terrorists. It said it was deeply ironic for Pakistan to make any claims about counter-terrorism or human rights while ignoring its own “appalling” domestic record.
India called on the OIC to resist Pakistan’s propaganda and warned that allowing such manipulation undermines the credibility and relevance of the organization. “The OIC must reflect deeply before permitting itself to be used by countries with a history of radicalism, intolerance, and failure of governance,” the MEA stated.
This is not the first time India has pushed back against the OIC’s inclusion of anti-India rhetoric. In April, ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Saudi Arabia, India had criticized Pakistan’s habitual misuse of the forum. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri had then noted that while many OIC member states understood India’s position, Pakistan continued to use the platform to circulate falsehoods.
Over the years, India has consistently called for the OIC to avoid commentary on its internal matters, especially when such commentary is based on biased or misleading information pushed by vested interests. The government maintains that Jammu and Kashmir’s status is non-negotiable, rooted in India's Constitution and settled beyond dispute.
Despite political friction in multilateral forums, India continues to enjoy strong bilateral relations with Muslim-majority countries, especially across South Asia, Central Asia, and the Gulf. Analysts credit PM Modi’s diplomatic efforts with strengthening ties across the Islamic world, boosting trade, energy security, and counterterrorism cooperation.
India’s bilateral trade with OIC member countries now exceeds $200 billion, and its engagement with these nations has grown increasingly strategic and multifaceted in the past decade. While India remains firm in rejecting external interference, it continues to expand its diplomatic footprint across the Islamic world on the basis of mutual respect, non-interference, and economic partnership.