Calling 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 (OIC) Kashmir contact group, criticising the government’s actions there. The MEA did not respond to the statement from the organisation that represents 57 member states, but has routinely dismissed any comments on what it considers India’s “internal matter”. “I would not agree that the Kashmir issue should be seen through a communal lens,” Mr. Jaishankar said in response to a question. 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. In contrast, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina refused to make any comment on Kashmir, indicating her support for the government’s actions.

Source: The Hindu September 26, 2019 15:56 UTC