India condemns OIC statement on Kashmir

India today condemned and rejected the observations of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) on Jammu and Kashmir and said the grouping had no locus standi on matters concerning country's internal affairs.

"It is regrettable that the OIC has commented on India's internal affairs. We condemn and reject this," External Affairs Ministry spokesman Vishnu Prakash said.

"Inherent in OIC's statements and actions on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir is a complete inability to understand India's position," he said.

Prakash asserted that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and "it is our firm position that the OIC has no locus standi in matters concerning India's internal affairs".

The meeting of the 56-nation grouping of Islamic countries in New York earlier this week issued a statement, saying it supported people of Jammu and Kashmir in "realisation of their legitimate right of self determination in accordance with relevant UN resolutions and aspirations of Kashmiri people."

Among other things, the statement also commented on the human rights situation in Jammu and Kashmir and the death of two women in mysterious circumstances in Shopian recently.