India rejects OIC resolution on Kashmir

New Delhi: In a resolution adopted by the influential grouping of 57 countries, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Saturday slammed India on Kashmir. The resolution criticised India administration’s role in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The OIC, in its Abu Dhabi Declaration, declared it as “intensified Indian barbarities since July 2016” and “illegal detentions and disappearances”. The resolution came a day after hosting External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj as a “Guest of Honour” in its conclave in Abu Dhabi.

Adopting resolutions moved by Pakistan, raising concerns over air-strikes by India on terror camps inside Pakistan on Tuesday, the Council praised Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan for sending back Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan Varthaman, who was held captive by Pakistan for two days after his plane was shot down in a duel by Pakistani fighters on Wednesday.

Rejecting the resolution India has maintained that there can be no “third party intervention”. It also rejected the report of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) which also finds a mention in the resolution.

Reacting to OIC resolution, Indian Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, “As regards the resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir, our stand is consistent and well known. We reaffirm that Jammu & Kashmir is an integral part of India and is a matter strictly internal to India.”