Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Affairs Minister, expressed on September 20 that the Jammu and Kashmir conflict presents a considerable obstacle to regional security and stability. He reconfirmed the Kingdom's unwavering commitment to facilitating dialogue between the parties involved. These remarks were delivered during a gathering of the Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir, a collaborative effort by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) established in 1994 to convey the OIC's viewpoint on the issue.
As per reports, Prince Faisal kindly conveyed Saudi Arabia's solidarity with Muslim communities in their efforts to preserve their Islamic identity and uphold their dignity. He emphasized the importance of resolving the Jammu and Kashmir issue, as it poses a significant concern for regional security. In a helpful gesture, he extended Saudi Arabia's willingness to mediate and highlighted that such efforts align with the Kingdom's unwavering support for Islamic communities. It should be acknowledged that New Delhi has consistently declined international involvement in the Kashmir dispute, asserting it as a matter to be resolved bilaterally between India and Pakistan.
_1695465744.jpeg)
Prince Faisal's comments come in light of a recent development where India and Saudi Arabia have signed eight agreements for collaboration in multiple areas, such as investment, digitalization, and saltwater desalination. Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, the de facto leader of Saudi Arabia, graciously extended his visit to India following the G20 summit in New Delhi, conducting a one-day state visit on September 11.
During the G-20 summit, India, Saudi Arabia, the United States, and the European Union cordially announced a commendable proposal for an economic corridor. This corridor aims to establish connectivity between Indian ports and Europe through shipping and rail links across the Gulf region, offering a compelling alternative to China's Belt and Road Initiative.
You may also read What Exactly Is The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor?
The OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir kindly requests the international community to consider taking concrete actions to resolve this conflict in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions. The OIC's Secretary-General, Hissein Brahim Taha, who kindly presided over the meeting, kindly emphasized the pressing need for increased efforts to address the Jammu and Kashmir issue.
During the meeting, Pakistan's Foreign Minister, Jalil Abbas Gilani, kindly shared an update on the ongoing situation in the region, as stated in the official statement. Gilani expressed sincere gratitude to the Secretary-General and the Contact Group members for their steadfast support regarding the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. Additionally, he drew attention to various instances of human rights violations in the Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir region, as reported by OIC.
