evidence: Pakistan’s use of the Islamic card had hindered India’s engagement with the region including prohibiting participation in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) despite having one of the largest Muslim populations in the world. India was particularly worried about Pakistan’s membership in the pro-western Baghdad Pact along with Turkey and Iran. The pro-western political, military and strategic partnership fostered a special relationship between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia including the stationing of Pakistani troops in Saudi Arabia and the funding of Pakistani arms acquisitions and its emerging nuclear weapons program. As the war against the Soviet Union in Afghanistan intensified, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) also became a particularly strong Pakistan supporter. These same two Arab countries became the staunchest supporters of the Taliban regime. [...] Turkey under Pakistan’s influence has been highly vocal about India’s decision to abrogate Article 370. India has countered Turkey’s criticism calling it as an internal affair. India is also worried about Turkey’s growing regional aspirations. India to stymie Turkey’s postures has increased dialogue with Cyprus, Greece, and Armenia. [...] On 5 August 2019, the Government of India (GoI) announced the repeal of Article 370 of the Constitution and reorganisation of the Jammu and Kashmir (J & K) State into two union territories. This sparked an unprecedented, if ill-informed, international response, especially to the region's post-decision limits. Indeed, many countries have acknowledged that the reorganisation is India's internal affair and that the J&K issue must be resolved through dialogue between India and Pakistan.