India seeks adequate resources for UN peacekeepers

United Nations, Dec 18 (PTI) Weeks ahead of joining the
UN Security Council as a non-permanent member, India, a major
troop contributor to global peacekeeping missions, has voiced
concerns over inadequate resources for peacekeepers, who are
being asked to do more with less facilities.
"It (the Council) must make available the resources that
are required to implement the ambitious legislative framework
that it has created," Indian Ambassador to the UN, Hardeep
Singh Puri, told the 15-member Security Council during the
course of a special debate on 'Sexual Violence'.
UN peacekeeping missions and peacekeepers on the ground
"are being asked to do more and more with less and less," Puri
said in his remarks.
As a country that will join the Security Council in
January 2011, India will remain seriously engaged with both
the evolution of the normative side and its implementation, he
added.
Referring to the resolution adopted by the UN Security
Council on this issue, Puri said while the decision of the
Council will expand the scope of peacekeeping mandates, no
cognisance is taken of the fact that resources to implement
the existing mandates are already inadequate.
"Accountability must be established for those who mandate
but do not provide resources," he said, adding that being one
of the largest troop contributing countries in UN history,
with more than 100,000 peacekeepers in 40 UN missions, India
has perhaps more experience than most in implementing Security
Council mandates.
It is, indeed, Indian troops along with the peacekeepers
of fellow troop contributing countries, who convert the intent
of this Council into deed.
"We take great pride in the stellar record of our
peacekeepers, both men and women, in the protection of women,
children and the weak," Puri said.
"The Council has been briefed that Indian troops have
apprehended some of the principal culprits behind the recent
sexual violence in MONUSCO. We can do much more if more troops
are deployed, if more resources, capacities and enablers are
made available. It is a matter of concern that the Council is
unable to address these deficits," Puri said.
India, he said, has consistently held the view that
greater participation of women in the areas of conflict
prevention, peace negotiations, peacekeeping and post-conflict
reconstruction is an essential pre-requisite for lasting peace
and security.
"Today's resolution identifies Women Protection Advisers
as key components of the implementation strategy. We support
this concept. We believe that Advisers need to have direct and
relevant experience and would be happy to contribute personnel
who have what would be required to be effective," he said.
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