Sushma Swaraj Gets OIC’s Invitation as ‘Guest of Honour’ at Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Abu Dhabi, Likely to Raise Pulwama Terror Attack Issue

New Delhi, February 24: After decades of being disinvited from the Conference of Islamic Countries in 1969, India will make its maiden appearance in the foreign ministers’ meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on March 1 as a ‘guest of honour’. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will represent India in the meeting to be held in Abu Dhabi, on March 1-2 after India received the formal invitation by UAE’s Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The move is seen as India’s popularity being increased in the Middle-East and improved relations with Saudi Arabia, the UAE and the Gulf region as a whole. It is expected that India would raise the issue of recent dastardly terror attack in Pulwama and garner diplomatic support from the international Muslim forum. Post-UNSC Statement on Kashmir, US President Donald Trump Calls Situation ‘Very Very Bad And Dangerous’ Between India and Pakistan. 

Confirming the invitation, the sources in the MEA stated, as Indian Express reports, that it arrived a month ago from UAE and the Indian government accepted it. However, MEA Sushma Swaraj would only attend the ‘inaugural’ session, and not be part of the negotiations of the OIC’s joint communique.

An official in the MEA pointed out that India would put across its views of the world at that platform. Also, on the cards are issues related with cross-border terrorism from Pakistan. It is known that the OIC is long considered to be ‘Pakistan’s playground’ but with India is likely to make its presence felt in the 57 member strong global Muslim forum – second inter-governmental organisation in the world after the UN. PM Narendra Modi Dares Pakistan Premier Imran Khan to Act Like ‘Pathan’ on Pulwama Strike, Says ‘Time Has Come to Stand True to Words’. 

The invitation to the OIC Foreign Ministers’ meet is seen significant after the visit of Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, to the country a couple of days ago. Earlier, the Narendra Modi-led Union government had invited Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, as the chief guest at the 68th Republic Day celebrations in 2017 and with his presence, India strengthen the ties with the Gulf nation. Nahan had also visited India in February 2016 after PM Modi’s visit to the UAE in August 2015.

Referring this as ‘welcome recognition’, the MEA issued a statement on Saturday stating that this resemble the presence of 185 million Muslims in India and of their contribution to its pluralistic ethos. Also, it said that the invitation depicts India’s contribution to the Islamic world.

It said, “The desire of the enlightened leadership of the UAE to go beyond our rapidly growing close bilateral ties and forge a true multifaceted partnership at the multilateral and international level” and a “milestone in our comprehensive strategic partnership with the UAE”. Pulwama Attack Fallout: Jaish-e-Mohammed Headquarter Seized by Pakistan as international Pressure Mounts. 

The OIC – formerly known as Organisation of the Islamic Conference – describes it as a global platform representing ‘the collective voice of the Muslim world’. The OIC claims that its objective is ‘to safeguard and protect the interests of the Muslim world in the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony among various people of the world’.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 24, 2019 10:18 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).