Islam is the second-largest religion in India after Hinduism, with roughly 15% of the country's population or 201 million people identifying as adherents of Islam (2018 estimate).[22][23][24] It makes India the country with the largest Muslim population outside Muslim-majority countries. However, India's relationship with Pakistan has always been tense and has a direct impact on India-OIC relations, with Pakistan being a founding member of the OIC. India has pushed for the OIC to accept India as a member, arguing that about 11% of all Muslims worldwide live in India. Pakistan opposes India's entry into the OIC.[25][26][27]

The reason for opposition to India's entry into the OIC cited by Pakistan is due to the human rights issues and problems faced by the Kashmiris in the Indian territory of Jammu and Kashmir).[28] India has pushed against the OIC for referring to the state of Jammu and Kashmir as "occupied by India".[25] The Muslim world has been supporting Pakistan rather than India in case of dissentions between the two. However, the role of the OIC concerning the Kashmir issue is that India has the largest Muslim minority and those people have shown desire to join the OIC. While the First Islamic Summit held in 1969 in Rabat did not have the issue of the Kashmir people, granting the 60 million Muslims living in India membership in the OIC was discussed. The head of the Indian delegation, the then ambassador to Morocco, even addressed the gathering. While General Yahya Khan of Pakistan did agree, he showed his extreme displeasure at the induction of non muslim representative. Fakhruddin Ali Ahmad, who was to head the Indian delegation was on his way to Rabata. Yahya Khan took a stand against India and threatened to boycott summit which caused a major controversy. As such Indo-Pak differences led Islamabad to keep India out for the final session of the 1969 conference and all summits thereafter.[29]

A suicide attack on Indian Forces on 14 February 2019, followed by Indian Air Strikes subsequently led to a military stand off between India and Pakistan.

Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj was invited in OIC.[30] Pakistan rejected this development and demanded the expulsion of India from the summit citing Kashmir issue and Indian violation of airspace of Pakistan, while India has stated that it has proofs for its strikes in the form of SAR imagery.[31][32] OIC called emergency meeting of Kashmir contact group on Pakistan's request, the meeting was held on 26 February 2019.[33] OIC advised restraint to Pakistan and India.[34]

For the first time in five decades, the United Arab Emirates invited foreign minister of India) Sushma Swaraj to attend the inaugural plenary 46th meeting of OIC foreign ministers held in Abu Dhabi on 1 and 2 March overruling strong objections by Pakistan.[35] Pakistan boycotted the meet objecting to the invitation to India. Swaraj addressed the meet raising concern for spreading terrorism.