[Reader-list] India on a list of countries which have failed to protect its religious minorities adequately

[Rakesh Iyer]

Dear all

As an interesting measure, India also wanted to get observer status in the
OIC (possibly with the view of joining the organization). I wonder if that
would have happened, would it have been termed as an Islamic state.

Regards

Rakesh

Article:

http://www.rediff.com/news/2006/jan/23saudi1.htm

Pak disapproves Saudi king's comments on India's OIC entry

Disagreeing with Saudi King Abdullah's comments on India's entry into the
Organisation of Islamic Conference, Pakistan Monday pointed out to the rule
of the grouping of Islamic countries -- that new aspirants should not have
disputes with member states, an apparent reference to the Kashmir [
Images<http://search.rediff.com/imgsrch/default.php?MT=kashmir>]
problem.

"Giving observer status to non-Muslim countries is under discussion. A
committee has been appointed. The criteria, apart from what is being worked
out, is that any country which wishes to acquire observer status with the
OIC should not be involved in any dispute with a member state," Pakistan
Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam told reporters in Islamabad
<http://search.rediff.com/imgsrch/default.php?MT=islamabad>

She was reacting to King Abdullah's comments that India should have observer
status at the OIC similar to that held by Russia and it would be
"beneficial" if New Delhi's entry was put forward "by a nation like
Pakistan".

Asked if Pakistan was concerned over the Saudi king's three-day visit to
India beginning Tuesday, Aslam said, "We do not put embargo on our friends.
They can have bilateral relations with other countries."

She declined to get into discussion when asked whether Saudi Arabia has
begun "hyphenating" its relations with India and Pakistan much on the lines
of United States policy of having friendly relations with both countries.

"We do not have any veto on any country's relations with another nor did any
country have a veto on Pakistan's policy towards other countries," she said.