‘Terrorism Turned Into Statecraft’: MEA Rejects OIC’s ‘Baseless’ Kashmir Remarks, Calls Out Silence On Pak Terror
India strongly condemned the OIC and Pakistan's remarks on Jammu and Kashmir. The MEA criticised Pakistan for using the OIC to deflect attention from its state-sponsored terrorism.
India has strongly rebutted references made by Pakistan and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) concerning Jammu and Kashmir and recent regional developments, terming the remarks as baseless and politically motivated. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a scathing statement rejecting the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers’ references to India, especially those influenced by Islamabad.
‘Terrorism Turned into Statecraft’: MEA Hits Back
In an official statement, the MEA categorically dismissed the “unwarranted and factually incorrect” references made during the OIC’s 51st session in Istanbul. “These statements, driven by Pakistan, which has turned terrorism into statecraft, reflect the continued misuse of the OIC platform for narrow political ends,” the statement read.
The MEA further criticised the OIC’s failure to acknowledge terrorism threats emanating from Pakistan, particularly citing the recent terror strike in Pahalgam. “The OIC’s repeated failure to acknowledge the real and documented threat of terrorism emanating from Pakistan, most recently evidenced in the heinous Pahalgam attack, reflects a wilful disregard for facts and the global consensus on the fight against terrorism,” the ministry said.
Reiterating that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India, the statement underscored, “The OIC has no locus standi to comment on India’s internal affairs, including Jammu & Kashmir, which is an integral and sovereign part of India — a fact enshrined in the Indian Constitution and irreversibly settled.”
Pakistan’s Role in OIC Agenda Criticised
Calling Pakistan’s comments “a desperate attempt to deflect international attention,” the MEA accused Islamabad of using the OIC to cover up its own failures. “The comments made by Pakistan at the OIC meeting are nothing more than a desperate attempt to deflect international attention from its own appalling record of state-sponsored terrorism, minority persecution and sectarian violence, apart from failure of governance.”
India also rejected Pakistan’s accusation of military aggression following its Operation Sindoor, a counterterror operation in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. “India’s Operation Sindoor in response to the Pahalgam terror attack was a precise and legitimate act of self-defence against terrorist camps operating from Pakistani territory. It is absurd for Pakistan to speak of targeting only Indian military installations when its retaliatory attempts not only failed but recklessly endangered civilian lives and property and ended up causing several deaths and injuries among the civilian population.”
The ministry further stated, “It is also ironic that Pakistan, a country with an abysmal human rights record and a history of sheltering, breeding and empowering terrorists, should lecture others on counter-terrorism and human rights.”
What Did Istanbul Declaration Say
Adopted during the 51st session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers, the Istanbul Declaration expressed concerns over the situation in South Asia. It condemned recent military operations on Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir, calling for restraint from all sides.
The declaration also urged adherence to existing treaties, including the Indus Waters Treaty, and advocated for the peaceful settlement of disputes through dialogue. “Call for strict adherence to bilateral agreements, including Indus Waters Treaty; and stress the importance of a broad-based dialogue for peaceful settlement of all outstanding disputes between Pakistan and India,” the declaration stated.
The OIC also reiterated its support for the people of Jammu and Kashmir and their “inalienable right to self-determination” in line with UN Security Council and OIC resolutions, while condemning what it described as “massive human rights violations” in the region.
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