NEW DELHI: The Tashkent Declaration of Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Foreign Ministers’ meet (Oct 18-19) has no mention of the Kashmir issue even as it touches upon situations in North Africa, West Asia and Afghanistan, a development that could be a shot in the arm for the Modi government even as it tries to build a global narrative on Pakistansponsored terror.This OIC Declaration is significant compared to the last four where Jammu & Kashmir had found mention, and therefore signals a shift in stance.The Declaration of the recently concluded meet, in fact, encourages narratives by the body to counter radicals and extremists globally. In what’s being viewed as a significant move, the declaration of the two-day meet has no reference on Kashmir even as Pakistan highlighted the “situation in J&K” on the occasion. The declaration, however, refers to the rights of Palestinians as well as the situation in Afghanistan.“We reiterate our full support for Palestine and Al-Quds Al-Shareef, the legitimate and inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including the right to self-determination and return to their ancestral places of residence,” reads the declaration.With reference to violence in North Africa and West Asia, the OIC further noted, “We underline the need for earliest stabilisation of the situation in the Middle East and North Africa and other parts of the continent by way of urgent political resolution of crises.” Simultaneously, the OIC suggested an Afghan-led process for national reconciliation in the landlocked country.The OIC came down heavily on terrorism. “We reiterate that the struggle against terrorism and violent extremism in all forms and their manifestations…We are convinced that these dangerous phenomena can be defeated and eliminated only through a joint action, elaborating the measures of influence both to the symptoms and the roots of these problems. We appreciate the launch of an OIC Messaging Centre to counter the sham narratives of radical and extremist groups. We are continuing to advocate for further close cooperation in the fight against terrorism, spread of extremist ideology, especially among youth.”PM Narendra Modi with Abu Dhabi’s Crown PrinceMohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan. (File photo)It may be recalled that since July, India has reached out to key OIC states individually through visits by Vice-President, senior MEA officials and India’s diplomatic missions in the respective countries.Certain OIC member states have even supported India’s stand on Kashmir and Pakistan on an individual basis. ET had reported that Indonesia, home to world’s largest Muslim population, has reservations on the strongly-worded condemnation against India on the Kashmir issue.Key OIC member UAE supported a strong response by India post Uri and members --Bangladesh and Afghanistan supported cross LoC surgical strikes.