India wants UN to take fresh look at peacekeeping

Holding the presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for August, India is pushing the member countries to adopt new guidelines for peacekeeping. Jayanth Jacob reports.

Holding the presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for August, India is pushing the member countries to adopt new guidelines for peacekeeping.

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Though the term peacekeeping is not there in the UN charter, it has become the ‘central enterprise’ of the world body, as it take more resources, employs more people and takes more time than any other issue in the security council. India is one of the largest troop contributors to the UN peacekeeping missions.

There will be an open discussion on peacekeeping at the UNSC on August 26.

India wants to begin with getting the finances in order as the scope of peacekeeping widens but finances for the same not coming through as desired.

The annual outlay for peacekeeping for the year is US $ 7.6 billion. In its concept note circulated among the member countries, India makes an interesting comparison. “While the number of peacekeepers is roughly the same as the number of international security assistance force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, the UN peacekeeping expense for last two decades is under 50 billion US $, which is reportedly less than the annual expenditure of ISAF.”

According to UN assessment, the estimated cost of all peacekeeping operations from 1948 to June 2010 amounts to about $69 billion. As per the formula worked out, the US contributes 27. 14% of the annual budget.

Although the payment of peacekeeping assessments is mandatory, as of 30 June 2011, member states owed approximately $1.55 billion in current and back peacekeeping dues.

India also calls for innovative approach towards peacekeeping that at times becomes 'peace building.' This includes joint deployment of UN peacekeepers with the regional and security organistaions.