In Brief
- MEA rejects OIC's anti-India statements on Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
- India reiterates these are integral, inalienable parts of the country.
- MEA accuses Pakistan of orchestrating the OIC's political propaganda.
- The MEA calls the OIC's references politically motivated and misleading.
What happened?
On October 19, 2026, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) officially rejected the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) recent references classified as ‘anti-India’. The MEA clarified that the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are integral and inalienable parts of India. It condemned the statements by the OIC as politically motivated propaganda, asserting that such comments could not alter the reality on the ground.
Background
The OIC, an intergovernmental organisation of Muslim-majority countries, occasionally issues statements relating to Jammu and Kashmir, a region with a complex and sensitive history. India’s central government revoked the special status granted to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 in August 2019, splitting the area into two Union Territories. This decision has been contentious internationally, often attracting criticism from Pakistan and some OIC member states.
Why it matters
India’s strongest reaction to the OIC’s statements underscores its firm stance on sovereignty and territorial integrity. By accusing Pakistan of orchestrating these references, the MEA signals its intent to isolate Pakistan diplomatically regarding the Kashmir issue. The MEA’s response aims to reaffirm India's sovereignty and prevent internationalisation of its internal matters related to Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
