India Calls For Global Action On UN Peacekeeper Safety

NEW DELHI- India on April 2 reiterated that the inviolability of UN missions must be ensured while calling for the safety and security of peacekeepers.

Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that, as a leading and longstanding contributor to United Nations peacekeeping, and in line with UN Security Council Resolution, India seeks accountability for crimes against peacekeepers.

“We have around 600 Indian troops who are serving in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). Our peacekeeping operations go back several decades. We are also the largest troop-contributing country to the UN peacekeeping missions, and the contribution of our peacekeepers has been well noted and regarded for global peace and security. We had also issued a statement, condemning the recent attacks on UNIFIL in which several troops, unfortunately, lost their lives,” said Jaiswal.

“We also pay homage to these brave blue helmet soldiers. Once again, we would like to emphasise that the inviolability of UN missions must be ensured, and the safety and security of our peacekeepers must be ensured. As one of the largest and longest-serving contributors to peacekeeping, and also in consonance with UN Security Council Resolution 2589, we seek accountability for crimes against peacekeepers,” he added.

Three peacekeepers from Indonesia with UNIFIL were killed on March 29 within 24 hours, according to Under-Secretary for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix, who said the incidents were unacceptable and stressed that peacekeepers must never be a target. (IANS)