Thrissur: A former Indian diplomat has said that India should make all efforts to solve Kashmir problem "bilaterally" with Pakistan to avoid US "imposing its own solution" to issues plaguing South Asia.

"As long as the Kashmir problem existed, there will always be a danger that a US- sponsored solution may be imposed on India and we may not be able to resist it unless Kashmir problem was solved bilaterally," K P Balakrishnan, former Ambassador to Switzerland and Vatican, said.

"India should settle Kashmir issue as per the Simla Agreement keeping the national interest and security concerns in view," he said.

"It would be better that India made efforts to settle the issues directly with Pakistan than wait for the US to impose its solution. India should follow a policy of bilateralism rather than multilateralism as organisations like UN, NAM (Non- Aligned Movement) have all failed to be effective operators in solving world problems amicably and impartially," he said.

"Our efforts should be to strengthen our relations with neighbours," he said.

No country in the world had shown courage to question the "hegemonistic policies" of the US even if it posed threat to sovereignty of others on flimsy ground, he said.

PTI