Jammu and Kashmir, a ‘strictly internal’ matter: India responds to OIC resolution

New Delhi: India on Saturday gave a befitting rebuttal to the debate on the territorial authority of Jammu and Kashmir, with the Centre categorically stating that the state is “an integral part of India”, putting all discourse to rest. The External Affairs Ministry was responding to a resolution on the issue at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) conclave in Abu Dhabi. “Our stand is consistent and clear as far as the resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir are concerned. We reaffirm that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and is a matter strictly internal to India,” Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, according to news agency PTI. The Pakistan Foreign Office had earlier said that the OIC resolution “supported” Pakistan on the Kashmir tussle. “In a resolution, the OIC member states reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir remains the core dispute between Pakistan and India and its resolution is indispensable for the dream for peace in South Asia,” Pakistan claimed, according to PTI. It further said, “The OIC resolution on regional peace, condemns Indian violation of Pakistan airspace and recognises Pakistan’s right to self-defence. Also, it appreciates PM (Imran) Khan’s offer of peace to India and goodwill return of Indian pilot.” Earlier, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in her address at the foreign ministers’ meet of OIC states on Friday said India has much to share with the member states and that it is a matter of pride for India to be invited as the guest of honour at the crucial meet of 57 Islamic nations. Without naming Pakistan, Swaraj said, “If we want to save humanity, we must tell States who provide shelter and funding to terrorists to dismantle the infrastructure of terror camps and stop shelter, funding to terror organisations based in that country.” “I carry the greetings of 1.3 billion Indians, including more than 185 million Muslim brothers and sisters. Our Muslims brothers and sisters are a microcosm of the diversity of India itself,” she added. The OIC sought “restraint and de-escalation” in South Asia and resolve issues through peaceful means, Pakistan claimed. Source: Times Now