India wants greater role in shaping peacekeeping mandates

India seeks to get a major role in forming the mandates of the various peacekeeping missions of the United Nations (UN), as it holds a high level meeting with the US on Friday. Jayanth Jacob reports.

India seeks to get a major role in forming the mandates of the various peacekeeping missions of the United Nations (UN), as it holds a high level meeting with the US on Friday. Also on the table, is the proposal for collaboration between the institutions from two countries that train the peacekeepers.

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The US, that pays 27% of the UN peacekeeping budget, has a considerable say in shaping the mandate of operations the world body undertakes across the globe.

At present there are 14 UN peacekeeping missions. The meeting with the US on the peacekeeping is taking place after a gap of two years, and India has a similar mechanism with UK, which, however had met last in 2006.

US assistant secretary of state for international organization affairs Esther Brimmer will lead the US side. Harsh Vardhan Shringla, joint secretary in the ministry of external affairs will lead the Indian contingent, consisting officials from ministries of defence and home, as well as the armed forces.

New Delhi feels that with its considerable experience in peacekeeping, it can contribute more to the process, including the shaping of the mandate of various peace keeping missions. Indian officials feel that being in the UN security council as a non permanent member means New Delhi’s points of view will have greater bearings on the issue.

“We will also be sharing with the US our unique experience in various peace keeping missions,” said an official. There will be a presentation on India’s all women police force in Liberia.

India, the third biggest contributor among the 115 UN members that send troops to peacekeeping missions, now has 8,680 of its nationals on various deputations.