Kashmir and lasting peace in South Asia

September 24, 2026

The Kashmir issue remains an important and unresolved dispute in South Asia. The latest meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir has once again brought the issue to international attention. The group has stressed that lasting peace in South Asia is linked to a peaceful solution to the Kashmir dispute.

The OIC Contact Group met in New York on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. The group includes Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Niger and was chaired by the OIC secretary general.

In its joint statement, the group expressed concern over the situation in Indian-administered Kashmir. According to the statement, a security crackdown followed the Pahalgam attack, with around 2,800 people arrested and dozens of houses demolished. It also said that more than 3.4 million domicile certificates have been issued in Indian-administered Kashmir since 2019.

These are serious claims and underline the continued political sensitivity of the Kashmir issue. The dispute cannot simply be treated as a matter of the past. It continues to affect the lives of people in Kashmir and remains a source of tension between India and Pakistan.

The OIC statement also raised concerns about the continued detention of Kashmiri leaders Yasin Malik, Asiya Andrabi and Shabbir Ahmad Shah. It specifically mentioned concerns about Shah’s health, saying that he is suffering from cancer.

The release of political prisoners and respect for basic human rights are important issues that deserve attention. The OIC has called for an improvement in the human rights situation, an end to restrictions and the release of Kashmiri political prisoners.

The Kashmir dispute has remained unresolved for decades. A durable peace in South Asia will require serious efforts to address the underlying dispute rather than allowing it to remain a permanent source of tension. Dialogue, respect for human rights and a peaceful political process are essential to any effort aimed at finding a lasting solution.

The OIC’s renewed focus on Kashmir also shows that the issue continues to have international relevance. Its peaceful resolution remains an important challenge for the region and the international community.