Ashok Kumar Behuria replies: This is not entirely true. There has been wider criticism of the way Pakistan has handled PoJK over the years. The Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the European Union have castigated Pakistan for its high-handed behaviour in the PoK/PoJK (which includes the so-called “Azad Jammu and Kashmir” and “Gilgit–Baltistan”).
While the OIC is critical of India, it remains wary of treading on China’s toes when it comes to civil and religious rights of the Uyghur Muslims. The OIC reports also turn a Nelson’s eye to Pakistan’s treatment of its own ethnic Muslim minorities. The OIC has disregarded the fact that India is a democratic and secular country, where every citizen is free to practice one’s religion.
The best option would be for India to continue to work with individual members of the OIC to establish friendly relations and deepen bilateral cooperation, and work to negate the machinations of Pakistan within the OIC.
Though the Astana meeting reflected a change in the OIC’s approach and understanding of the issues and problems of the Islamic world, lack of concrete action would lead to a further loss of credibility for the organisation.
The OIC’s Double Standards
While the OIC is critical of India, it remains wary of treading on China’s toes when it comes to civil and religious rights of the Uyghur Muslims. The OIC reports also turn a Nelson’s eye to Pakistan’s treatment of its own ethnic Muslim minorities. The OIC has disregarded the fact that India is a democratic and secular country, where every citizen is free to practice one’s religion.