India seeks more say in peace ops

India, which is one of the largest contributors to the UN peacekeeping missions, on Monday demanded a greater say from the United Nations in decision-making on UN peace-keeping missions. During the ongoing visit of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj raised the issue of a greater role for countries, contributing a large number of troops for peace-keeping missions, in deciding the mandate for peace-keeping missions.

India, which also wants a permanent seat in the UN Security Council (UNSC), also pressed for reform in the UNSC, saying that the “anachronistic” nature of the UNSC composition had led to lack of credibility in its decision-making. The UN has told India that it has set up a panel (with an Indian representative) on the issue of mandate for UN peace-keeping operations which is expected to submit its report by March. The UN chief also asked India to play a major role in ensuring nuclear disarmament in South Asia, bringing back peace and stability in Afghanistan and combating key global challenges like terrorism, climate change and poverty. Expressing deep concern over rise in violent extremism and radicalisation in the region, the UN Secretary-General said India must shoulder the responsibility to help South Asia stop developing nuclear arsenals and urged it to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) which provides for banning all nuclear tests.

Commenting on talks between the Secretary-General and Ms Swaraj on Monday, ministry of external affairs spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said India wanted a greater role for countries contributing large number of troops for the UN peace-keeping missions since it was these troops that were protecting the peace and laying down their lives for these missions. He said over 8,000 Indian personnel were serving in 10 out of the 16 UN peace-keeping operations.

Sources said some issues pertaining to operation of drones in the operations were also raised by India. The use of air-contingents, mainly helicopters, also came up for discussion as India had withdrawn some of its helicopters that were used in the UN peace-keeping operations in Africa for domestic security needs.

The MEA spokesperson indicated that India had made several complaints earlier to the UN on decisions made during peace-keeping operations.

The MEA spokesperson also said the UN wanted a decision reached (to reduce pollution) at the International Conference on Climate Change in Paris later this year and that India had informed it of the various initiatives by the country.