ISLAMABAD, May 7: The Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) has linked development of positive relations with India to a just settlement of the Kashmir dispute.

This was stated in the OIC secretary-general’s report on political issues. The report was presented to the pan-Islamic body’s senior officials’ meeting, which began in Jeddah on Saturday.

Positive relations between the OIC and India could not be achieved as long as there were tensions between Pakistan and India and without a just solution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with international legality, the OIC said in a veiled reference to India’s interest in obtaining observer status at the OIC.

A statement issued by the Foreign Ministry on Sunday said the OIC meeting expressed support for the Indo-Pakistan peace process and hoped that the dialogue would lead to the final settlement of all outstanding issues for peaceful, stable and prosperous environment in South Asia. The OIC also supported the agreement on additional bus service between Rawalakot and Poonch and the truck service between Muzaffarabad and Srinagar, it said.

Foreign Ministry’s additional secretary (UN) Tariq Osman Hyder is leading the Pakistan delegation at the OIC meeting. The delegation comprises senior ministry officials, including Tasnim Aslam, director-general of the OIC and UN divisions.

On the Kashmir dispute, the OIC secretary-general’s report commended Pakistan’s cooperation in the implementation of various resolutions on the dispute but stated that India had remained intransigent and uncooperative.

The report noted that India had continued to reject a visit by the OIC fact-finding mission, similar to the one paid to the Azad Jammu and Kashmir in 2003, to assess the condition of Kashmiri refugees. However, it appreciated the humanitarian assistance extended by the government of Pakistan to over 15,000 refugees.

The report also regretted India s negative reaction to the appointment of the secretary-general’s special representative on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in February.