India on Monday (October 19) strongly rejected a resolution on Jammu and Kashmir adopted by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) at its Council of Foreign Ministers' meeting in Baghdad, describing the references to India as “malicious, biased and false”. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) accused Pakistan of orchestrating the move to advance its political agenda and criticised the OIC for allowing itself to be used to promote what New Delhi called a “bigoted agenda”. India reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are integral parts of the country and that the OIC has no authority to comment on India's internal affairs.
India on Monday firmly rejected the references to the country in resolutions adopted at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation's Council of Foreign Ministers' meeting in Baghdad on October 17–18, accusing Pakistan of orchestrating a politically motivated campaign against New Delhi.
In an official statement, the Ministry of External Affairs described the references to India as “malicious, biased and false” and expressed disappointment that the OIC had once again allowed itself to be used by Pakistan to advance what India characterised as a “bigoted agenda”.
The strong response reflects India's longstanding objection to the OIC commenting on Jammu and Kashmir, which New Delhi regards as an integral part of its sovereign territory. India has consistently maintained that matters concerning the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh fall exclusively within its domestic jurisdiction.
By rejecting the resolution in categorical terms, New Delhi has sought to reinforce its position that international forums should not be used to legitimise what it considers Pakistan-sponsored attempts to challenge India's territorial integrity.
The MEA's statement made India's position on the issue explicit, asserting that the OIC has “no locus standi whatsoever” to comment on matters that are strictly internal to India.
The government reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are “integral and inalienable parts of India”, adding that politically motivated propaganda cannot change this reality.
The phrase “no locus standi” underscores India's argument that the OIC lacks the standing to intervene in questions that New Delhi considers matters of national sovereignty. India has repeatedly opposed internationalisation of the Kashmir issue, arguing that its constitutional and administrative decisions concerning the region are matters for the country to address within its own framework.
The latest exchange also highlights the continuing diplomatic divide between India and Pakistan over Jammu and Kashmir. While Pakistan has sought to raise the issue at international and multilateral forums, India has maintained that such efforts do not alter the legal or territorial status of the region.
For New Delhi, the central concern is not merely the language used in an individual resolution but the precedent of a multilateral organisation taking positions on an issue that India considers internal. The government believes that such resolutions risk turning a complex bilateral and domestic issue into a platform for political messaging.
Alongside its rejection of the OIC resolution, India defended its record in Jammu and Kashmir following the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, which ended the region's special constitutional status.
The MEA stated that Jammu and Kashmir had witnessed significant economic growth in the years since the constitutional change, with benefits reaching residents through infrastructure development, tourism and improved connectivity.
These areas have remained central to the government's argument that the region's development and integration with the rest of the country should be assessed through outcomes on the ground rather than through politically charged international statements.
Infrastructure and connectivity are particularly important in a region where difficult terrain, harsh weather and geographical constraints have historically complicated transportation and economic activity. Better roads and other connectivity projects can improve access to markets, public services and tourism destinations, while investment in local infrastructure can create opportunities for employment and enterprise.
Tourism, meanwhile, is an important source of livelihood for sections of the local population. The government's emphasis on this sector reflects its broader argument that improved security, connectivity and investment can support economic activity and expand opportunities for residents.
However, assessing the full impact of these changes requires attention to measurable indicators, including employment, private investment, income growth and the distribution of economic benefits among local communities. India's statement presented its assessment of the region's progress, while the wider debate over Jammu and Kashmir continues to involve competing political narratives.
Ultimately, the dispute reflects a larger principle guiding India's response to international criticism: New Delhi is prepared to defend its position in multilateral forums but rejects resolutions that it believes undermine its sovereignty or are shaped by the political objectives of another country.
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