All that can be said about the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) is their two-faced stand, by no chance the first time that such duplicity has been on evidence. After inviting India and her Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj, to attend the foreign ministers meet of the OIC and address the gathering, the organisation has revealed its true colours. A day after Swaraj addressed the meeting — against severe objections raised by Pakistan, which boycotted the event, where it has in the past frequently aired its views that have less to do with Islam and more with Kashmir and India — came the sting in the tail. 

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A resolution adopted at the meeting on Jammu and Kashmir, another on the “India-Pakistan Peace Process” that praised Pakistan for its 'efforts' and a statement on 'Muslim minorities' worldwide that called upon the Indian government to rebuild the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, came as embarrassment for the Indian government. Indian officials, hurrying to contain the damage, were at pains to point out that there were no negative references to New Delhi in the “Abu Dhabi Declaration”, which is the main communique. 

According to them, other resolutions do not reflect or need a consensus of the entire 57-member group. They are essentially national positions of individual countries and often go unopposed. That could well be true. Not all the countries in the group are expected to be friendly to India, but the larger nations in the Arab world, are undoubtedly keen to foster ties. It was best reflected in the statement issued by UAE’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah, who said that the OIC had sent out a very clear and positive sign to India and looked forward to the day when they could “embrace India one day at OIC.” That could hardly be music to Pakistan’s ears.