India emphasized the need to safeguard the inviolability of UN missions and ensure the safety of peacekeepers. The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, highlighted India’s commitment to accountability for crimes against peacekeepers. India strongly condemned recent attacks on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) that resulted in casualties.
“We have around 600 Indian troops serving in UNIFIL, and our peacekeeping efforts span several decades,” stated Jaiswal. India is the largest contributor to UN peacekeeping missions and has been recognized for its significant role in promoting global peace and security. The country called for accountability for crimes against peacekeepers in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2589.
India condemned the killing of peacekeepers in Lebanon and urged for accountability for the crime. The recent attacks on UN peacekeepers in UNIFIL were met with condemnation, and homage was paid to the fallen peacekeepers. The incidents, including the deaths of three peacekeepers from Indonesia, were deemed unacceptable by Under-Secretary for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also condemned the killings, emphasizing that peacekeepers should never be targeted. UNIFIL’s mission in Lebanon, near the Israel border, aims to support the Lebanese government in regaining control from Hezbollah and maintain peace with Israel. India, having championed a Security Council resolution in 2021 for accountability in such attacks, reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing action against the perpetrators.
