Nakul Shivani/ New Delhi

A recent visit to Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK) by a delegation of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has drawn strong condemnation from India.

Reacting to the visit by a five-member delegation led by Secretary general of OIC, Hissein Brahim Taha to PoK on December 10, India has called the visit an attempt to interfere in India’s internal affairs.

MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, "Let me reiterate that OIC has no locus standing in matters related to Jammu and Kashmir, which is an integral and inalienable part of India. Any attempt of interference and meddling in India's internal affairs by OIC and its Secretary General is entirely unacceptable."

Our response to media queries on the visit of OIC Secretary General to Pakistan Occupied Jammu & Kashmir: https://t.co/CRPyNdIDyE pic.twitter.com/FgHvUc66Vj

— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) December 13, 2022

The government of India's stand has been echoed by former men in uniform.

Vice Admiral Shekhar Sinha, former head of the Western Naval Command and Integrated Defence Staff speaking to Awazthevoice.in called the visit illegal reiterating India’s commitment to take back PoK from Pakistan.

Vice Admiral Shekhar Sinha

“PoK is Indian Territory forcibly occupied by Pakistan. The Indian Raksha Mantri and Home Minister have stated in Parliament that India’s unfinished agenda is to take our territory back. OIC’s unwarranted visit is illegal and reflects its tacit support to terrorism by conniving with terrorist state Pakistan,” Vice Admiral Sinha said.

Major Mohommed Ali Shah who has served at the LoC says India is absolutely correct in condemning the visit since the territory belongs to India.

”In the early 1990s the Indian Parliament had passed a resolution to integrate Pakistan Occupied Kashmir including Gilgit and Baltistan with India. Recently the Northern Army Commander also said that the Indian army ready to execute orders to take back PoK. It is important to note here that recently, America distanced itself from the visit of its Pak envoy to PoK,” he says.

“This act by OIC is highly irresponsible. It makes no sense. I strongly condemn this visit by the delegation. They should not have gone to PoK,” he added.

Major (Dr) Mohommed Ali Shah

Allaying fears that the visit will have negative repercussions on India’s relations with the OIC, Vice Admiral Sinha said, the visit will have no major impact on our relations with individual member countries of the OIC.

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“India’s relations with OIC has always been turbulent. Every time the organisation is compelled to make a statement on J&K it has been objected to by the Indian Govt, this is not unusual. India’s bilateral relations with individual member countries of OIC is strong therefore I don’t foresee the relationship with OIC per se become worse than what it is existing,” he said.