NEW DELHI — India on Tuesday firmly rejected a statement by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) concerning the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, labelling it “absurd and misguided” and accusing Pakistan of manipulating the organization for its own political narrative.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal criticised the OIC for what India described as unwarranted interference in its internal affairs. “The OIC statement, issued at the behest of Pakistan, is absurd in refusing to acknowledge the nature of the Pahalgam terrorist attack and its clear cross-border linkages,” said Jaiswal. “We reject the OIC’s interference in matters that are internal to India.”
India has alleged that Pakistan, a country it accuses of long-standing support for cross-border terrorism, is behind attempts to use international platforms like the OIC to promote a biased and misleading narrative.
The OIC had earlier expressed concern over rising tensions in South Asia, particularly in the wake of the Pahalgam attack that claimed the lives of 26 Hindu tourists. In its statement, the organisation warned against attributing acts of terrorism to specific countries, ethnicities, religions, or nationalities, urging restraint and dialogue instead.
Pakistan, which has strongly denied involvement in the Pahalgam incident, has called for a neutral and transparent investigation into the attack. Islamabad has also cautioned of credible intelligence suggesting possible Indian military aggression and emphasized the importance of de-escalation, citing progress in its economic recovery and regional diplomacy.
Amid the growing crisis, the United States has stepped in diplomatically, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging both India and Pakistan to remain calm and resolve issues through dialogue. Despite this, tensions have escalated: India has suspended a key water-sharing treaty and expelled Pakistani nationals, while Pakistan has responded by test-firing a surface-to-surface ballistic missile as a show of military readiness.
Cross-border skirmishes have been reported in recent days, raising fears of a broader conflict. The international community has called for restraint, urging both sides to avoid further provocations.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reiterated his call for a fair and impartial investigation into the Pahalgam attack. Pakistan’s political and military leadership have expressed unity in the face of what they call baseless allegations from India. The country’s military spokesperson, DG ISPR, also accused India of supporting militant activity in Balochistan and backing non-state actors involved in terrorism.
As tensions persist, global leaders continue to urge both nations to step back from confrontation and pursue diplomatic channels to restore peace and stability in the region.
