India for more explicit mandates for UN peacekeeping missions

With the UN peacekeeping operations increasingly becoming complex, India has advocated on having ‘explicit’ operational mandate and sought a fair representation of countries making troop contributions in framing the mandate of each peacekeeping mission.India is one of the largest troop contributors to the multi-nation UN peacekeeping missions, said Deputy Chief of the Army Lt Gen Rakesh Kapoor as he announced a conclave of senior military leadership of over 30 nations that are key contributors to the UN peacekeeping operations. The three-day event (from October 14 to 16) would be hosted in New Delhi by the Indian Army.

Lt Gen Kapoor said the character of conflicts was changing, hence peace keeping by the UN-mandated forces was at an inflexion point. Traditional ceasefire monitoring missions have evolved into complex multi-dimensional missions driven by asymmetric threats, cyber risks and blurred non-state dynamics, he added.

“Accordingly, India on its part, has been a strong advocate of more explicit mandates, improved mission support, better force protection and fair representation of countries contributing troops in mandate formulation (of each peacekeeping mission),” stated Lt Gen Kapoor.

In the past 75 years, India has contributed over 2,90,000 peacekeepers across 50 missions. As many as 182 of those peacekeepers have laid down their lives.

The Indian Army would share its operational experience, innovations and best practices. India would also leverage its indigenous technology to make peacekeeping missions more resilient, cost-effective and future-ready.

Chiefs and representatives from nations across the world – including Algeria, Armenia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brazil, Burundi, Cambodia, Cote D’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Fiji, France, Ghana, Indonesia, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mongolia, Morocco, Nepal, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Uganda, Uruguay, Vietnam, Rwanda and Senegal – are expected to attend the conclave.