New Delhi, April 2 (IANS) India on Thursday reiterated that the inviolability of UN missions must be ensured while calling for ensuring the safety and security of peacekeepers.

Addressing a weekly media briefing in New Delhi, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that as a leading and longstanding contributor to the United Nations peacekeeping, and in line with UN Security Council Resolution, India seeks accountability for crimes against peacekeepers.

He also highlighted India’s condemnation of the recent attacks on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which has claimed several lives.

“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.

India on Monday condemned the killing of peacekeepers in Lebanon and urged to ensure accountability for the crime.

“We condemn the recent attacks on United Nations peacekeepers deployed in UNIFIL and pay our homage to the fallen Blue Helmets.”

Three peacekeepers from Indonesia with UNIFIL were killed on Sunday 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.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also condemned the killing, according to his spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric.

UNIFIL operates in an area of Lebanon bordering Israel, where Hezbollah and Israel are active. Its mission is to help the Lebanese government regain control of the area from Hezbollah and also acts as a tenuous buffer with Israel.

The Indian mission’s statement noted that the country had piloted the Security Council resolution in 2021, when it was an elected member, calling for accountability for those who attack peacekeepers.

It added that India will continue to pursue action against the perpetrators.

–IANS

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