UN to set up panel to check lack of inputs from peacekeeping troop contributors: MEA

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has said that United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has set up a panel to check the implications of lack of inputs from troop contributors in terms of difficulties faced by troops after India expressed its unhappiness with the UN peacekeeping operations.

"The Secretary-General has received several complaints from India... [and] he has set up a panel. One part of this panel's work is to see what have been the implications of lack of inputs from troop contributors in terms of difficulties faced by troops," MEA official spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin told the media.

Akbaruddin also spoke on the fundamental issues impacting the nature of peacekeeping operations.

"There is a broader issue of how the doctrine of peacekeeping should evolve. Should peacekeeping be limited to areas where there is peace to keep or should peacekeeping go beyond that? These are issues which are of a fundamental nature impacting on the nature of peacekeeping. This will also be another element of it," he added.

"There is an array of modern technologies or modern logistics which can support peacekeeping operations. In this context Ban also raised the issue that the UN is very keen to have with them an air component which was previously provided by India in Congo, which we had subsequently withdrawn due to our own requirements," he added.

On Monday, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had a very fruitful discussion with United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on a wide array of issues including matters relating to climate change and environment and the growing global concerns on terrorism.