In a major setback for the diplomatic policies of Pakistan, Foreign Minister, Sushma Swaraj is all set to attend Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) meeting in Abu Dhabi, in the middle of escalating tension between India and Pakistan. The union minister has been invited by the UAE as the guest of honour at the meeting, which will be held from March 1.
The UAE visit of Swaraj is a diplomatic victory of India over Pakistan at a time when tensions are rising and war seems to be the only solution. After the Pulwama attack in Kashmir valley, the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) claimed its involvement that took the lives of 49 CRPF personnel.
Diplomatic setback to Pakistan. Sushma Swaraj is very much leaving for OIC in UAE even after protest by Pak. She will be Guest of Honour. UAE sources say she’d be received with full diplomatic protocol and honor. She will also hold bilateral meetings in UAE and speak in Plenary.
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) February 28, 2019
Meanwhile, after the latest air-strike in Balakot, Foreign Minister of Pakistan Shah Mehmood Qureshi urged to boycott the OIC meet after they extended an invitation to Sushma Swaraj. Earlier, in a press briefing, Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that he had spoken to the UAE over the matter and expressed his opposition to Sushma Swaraj’s invitation.
Prior to this, Foreign Minister of the UAE, HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has invited Swaraj for the event and it was also conveyed that she will be addressing the inaugural plenary in Abu Dhabi.
The OIC is an organization of Islamist countries with 57 member nations, representing the “collective voice of the Muslim world” which aims to “safeguard and protect the interests of the Muslim world”. The collective stand of Muslim countries is echoed by the OIC and the OIC has been clear about its support to Pakistan on the Kashmir issue. In 2017 in Islamabad, the OIC secretary-general Yousaf Ahmad Al-Othaimeen said “Kashmir has always been on the top of the agenda of OIC” and that there is a need to put “pressure” on India on the issue of alleged human rights violations in Kashmir.
Time and again, India has expressed its interest in joining the OIC. It is a major development as far as the membership is concerned. Expressing his happiness over the invitation of India, BJP MP Subramanian Swamy said, “PTs may remember that when Saudi Prince Salman came to India recently I demanded what no one thought of: Making India be given Observer status in OIC meeting.. I am happy to report that has happened and Sushma will attend the next meeting soon”.
PTs may remember that when Saudi Prince Salman came to India recently I demanded what no one thought of: Making India be given Observer status in OIC meeting.. I am happy to report that has happened and Sushma will attend the next meeting soon
— Subramanian Swamy (@Swamy39) February 23, 2019
The OIC has been briefed by India in the past on how Pakistan sponsored terrorism affects Kashmir. The Indian forces in Kashmir toil to maintain peace in the region and to eliminate terrorists that infest a few districts of Kashmir. The OIC must acknowledge the root of the problem in Kashmir which is Pakistan sponsored terrorism. There are further speculations that Sushma Swaraj may raise the issue of terrorism and Pakistani connection of it.