India Must Act in National Interest, Not Be Swayed by UNSC: Ex-Envoy Gautam Bambawale

By A Staff Reporter

New Delhi — Amid renewed international discussions around Kashmir, especially following a closed-door meeting of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), former Indian Ambassador to China, Gautam Bambawale, has asserted that India must remain guided solely by its national interest, regardless of external commentary.

Commenting on the reported UNSC deliberations, Bambawale said, “I have not followed what the UNSC has decided or said very closely. But I feel that India should do whatever it wants to do and needs to do, in its own national interest.” He stressed that while diplomatic engagement with global powers remains important, India must not be distracted or deterred by what members of the Security Council say or choose not to say.

“We should not place too much importance on what the UNSC and Members of the UNSC are saying or not saying,” Bambawale remarked. “We need them on our side but at the same time, we must take our action as we deem fit and based on India's national interest.”