OIC Summit in Pakistan. China’s Participation and India’s Displeasure Over Hurriyat Invitation

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit, held on March 22-23, 2022, in Islamabad, Pakistan, brings together representatives from Islamic nations amid global geopolitical tensions. This is Pakistan’s second time hosting the summit within three months, underscoring its active role in regional diplomacy.

The summit will see participation from 48 foreign ministers representing the 57 Islamic or Muslim-majority countries of the OIC. Topics on the agenda include Afghanistan’s development and the long-standing issue of Jammu and Kashmir, which will be discussed by the OIC’s Liaison Group on Kashmir. This aspect of the meeting has attracted attention due to its potential impact on regional diplomacy, particularly in South Asia.

Key Highlights of the OIC Summit in Pakistan:

• 48 foreign ministers from OIC nations confirmed their participation.
• The focus includes Afghanistan’s development and the situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
• China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi attends as a ‘Guest of Honour’, marking China’s increasing involvement in regional diplomacy.
• India expresses concerns over Hurriyat leaders’ involvement in the summit.

Chinese Foreign Minister Attends as ‘Guest of Honour’

In a surprising turn, China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, has been invited as a ‘Guest of Honour’ at this two-day summit, despite China not being an official member of the OIC. Wang Yi is expected to address the forum during the conference. China’s presence at the OIC meeting, especially with such a high-profile designation, underscores the growing influence of Beijing in the region, including among Muslim-majority nations.

This move raises eyebrows, particularly given China’s policies in Xinjiang, where the Uyghur Muslim population has faced alleged human rights violations. Despite these concerns, many Islamic nations have maintained strong diplomatic ties with China due to strategic economic and political reasons.

India’s Concerns Over Hurriyat Invitation

Another sensitive issue at the summit is the invitation extended to Hurriyat leaders, representing the separatist faction in Jammu and Kashmir. India has expressed significant displeasure over the inclusion of Hurriyat in the summit, as it considers the group’s participation a challenge to its sovereignty over the Kashmir region.

India’s concerns stem from Pakistan’s consistent use of the OIC platform to raise the Kashmir issue. By inviting Hurriyat representatives, Pakistan reinforces its stance on Kashmir at an international level, further complicating diplomatic relations with India. 

This development could potentially exacerbate existing tensions between the two nations.

The OIC summit in Pakistan comes at a pivotal time for the region. With China’s unexpected participation and the involvement of Hurriyat representatives, the summit reflects broader geopolitical dynamics that could have lasting impacts on South Asia. As the summit unfolds, it remains to be seen how these developments will influence diplomatic relations and regional security.