India tells UN Security Council not to legitimise terrorists amid global shifts

Newdelhi,UPDATED: Aug 20, 2026 17:12 IST

India on Thursday said membership of the UN Security Council must not be used to "legitimise" terrorists, as a range of diplomatic and political developments unfolded across forums involving India, its neighbours and other countries.

From talks in Singapore, Washington and the United Nations to political updates in Bangladesh, and developments in Israel, Pakistan, China and the UK, the day saw movement across several international stories with relevance for India and the wider region.

At the United Nations, India said membership of the Security Council must not be used as a tool to "legitimise" terrorists by seeking their removal from the sanctions regime or to blacklist entities solely on "political considerations". It said the 15-nation body must not become a platform for pursuing narrow interests.

In Singapore, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong met visiting Indian ministers ahead of the fourth India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable and discussed ways to build on progress in bilateral ties, especially in advanced manufacturing, digitalisation, sustainability and connectivity.

In Bangladesh, Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir said the possibility of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's visit to India next month for the BRICS Summit "remains slim" unless an appropriate environment based on "mutual trust" is created, along with a "dignified invitation" from New Delhi.

Bangladesh also began its presidential election on Thursday, with lawmakers voting to elect the country's 23rd president in the first contested poll for the post in 35 years. BNP's Mirza Alamgir is the frontrunner.

In Washington, India's Ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, met US Assistant Secretary of State S Paul Kapur and discussed developments across various pillars of the bilateral partnership.

At the UN, Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed is due to visit India later this month to discuss the world body's cooperation with New Delhi as well as India's engagement in advancing sustainable development.

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy arrived in London on Thursday at the start of a 10-day tour of the UK and the US.

In the US, officials of an advisory body on religious freedom called for sanctions against the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and asked the American government not to extend diplomatic courtesies to its leaders or hold high-level meetings with them.

In Israel, an Indian national died, with officials saying a suspect has been arrested in connection with the incident. An investigation is underway to establish the full facts and circumstances.

In China, a court sentenced Xu Jiayin, former boss of property giant Evergrande Group, to life in prison for multiple crimes and ordered confiscation of all his personal property.

In Pakistan, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said the country has sought a USD 10 billion facility from the US to strengthen its foreign exchange position and reassure international investors, as it looks to reduce dependence on repeated emergency financing from friendly countries.

Pakistan also received six seafarers injured in a recent Houthi attack on a commercial vessel in the Red Sea, while the bodies of two Pakistani sailors killed in the assault were repatriated to Karachi.

In the UK, media reports said Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have decided to move back to the country with their two children later this month, while remaining non-working members of the royal family.

Overall, the day brought a mix of diplomatic engagement, political developments and international updates, with India featuring in discussions at the UN, in the US and Singapore, while neighbouring countries and global capitals reported key parallel developments.

With PTI Inputs

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