Kashmir issue: Rescind action on Article 370, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation tells India
The HinduCalling on India to “rescind” its actions revoking Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, Saudi Arabia joined Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Niger to issue a statement on behalf of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Kashmir contact group, criticising the government’s actions there. In the statement issued on September 25 after a ministerial meeting on the sidelines of the UNGA, the group asked the government to “rescind its unilateral illegal actions and reiterate its commitment to abide by the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, provide assurances that it will not change the occupied territory’s demographic composition and not allow non-Kashmiris to acquire property or residency in … halt its human rights violations… repeal its draconian emergency laws, and withdraw its heavy military presence”. In fact, the OIC group’s statement is one of very few at the United Nations that have been critical of India’s actions, even though Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi made the situation in Kashmir their single talking point at dozens of bilateral and multilateral meetings. Mr. Khan’s speech at the UNGA on Friday, which will follow shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech is also expected to focus mainly on the Kashmir issue.