OIC Keeps Kashmir Out Of Final Dispatch: Report

NEW DELHI: Even as Kashmir was conspicuously missing in the Abu Dhabi Declaration upon conclusion of 46th meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in UAE capital, India on Saturday rejected a resolution on 'Indian atrocities' in Kashmir adopted by OIC meeting separately, terming the matter an "internal" issue.

A special resolution sponsored by Pakistan was adopted by the OIC, but the absence of Pakistan's standpoint in the final declaration is source of embarrassment for Islamabad since the joint communique indicates resolve of the members attending the huddle, The News quoting diplomatic sources reported on Sunday. 

Interestingly, the OIC adopted separate resolutions on Kashmir issue and Pakistan-India peace process but both the issues were not mentioned in the final communique "Abu Dhabi Declaration". 

In the 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.

The OIC said it "condemns recent wave of Indian terrorism" in Kashmir and "mass blinding of Kashmiris". 

The OC statement also reminded the international community of its obligation to ensure implementation of UN Security Council resolutions on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.

Indian Ministry of External Affairs in a statement stated: "As regards the resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir, our stand is consistent and well known. We reaffirm that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and is a matter strictly internal to India."

Earlier Arab states led by UAE ignored pleas by Islamabad to rescind invitation sent to India. Pakistan later lodged a formal protest over India's participation in the OIC meet but of no avail. 

Pakistan's delegation head and Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Raja Ali Ejaz stood up and expressed resentment over India's inclusion at the concluding session of the 46th session of the OIC CFM.

"Why they invited a non-member, non-Islamic, even not having observer status as guest of honour?" the senior Pakistani diplomat complained. He also aggressively mentioned that Pakistan is the founder member of OIC but was not taken on board for Indian's invitation, The News reported. 

Pakistan had boycotted the plenary session of the 46th CFM at the foreign minister level due to the presence of Indian Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj.

The conference was taking place on 50th anniversary of the foundation of the OIC and despite Pakistan's staunch opposition, Sushma Swaraj was invited as the guest of honour in the conference.

Much to the chagrin of Islamabad, India took part in some important discussions during the two day session. 

Sushma Swaraj on Friday spoke out against "states who provide shelter and funding to terrorists" in what some construed as a veiled criticism of Pakistan in the wake of its continued maligning against Pakistan.

The Abu Dhabi Declaration welcomed the efforts made to maintain and strengthen regional peace and security in South Asia and praised the efforts of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed to find common ground for calm between the two leaderships in Pakistan and India.