Consult nations before setting up peace missions: India to UN

India has recommended that consultations be held with troop contributing countries before a peacekeeping mission is established since the soldiers risk their lives for the UN and know the ground situation better.
Participating in a UN Security Council debate on 'Protection of civilians in armed conflict - implementation of protection mandates in UN Peacekeeping operations,' Indian envoy to the UN Asoke Mukerji said consultation, including between the UNSC and the Troop Contributing Countries about the peacekeeping mandates and their interpretation is essential.
"The Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) put at risk the lives of their soldiers in the service of the UN. Strikingly more than many members of the Council who hold the primary responsibility in this regard.

TCCs know the situation on the ground better than most, as they are in daily touch with developments and can - on the basis of practical experience - advise on what needs to be done. Their advice will be sound, objective and unbiased. It can serve the Council well," he said.
Mukerji stressed that consultations be held whenever there is a change in situation on the ground as the TCCs are the first to know that "things are going wrong".
Consultations must be held before the UNSC changes a mandate since TCCs are often the only ones who can properly advise if a change is needed, if what the Council has in mind will make matters worse or better, and whether it can be done militarily with the resources available.

"TCCs must know, and accept in advance, material changes to the terms and conditions under which they committed their troops. It is important for the TCCs, also because their Governments, Parliaments and their people, want to know why their soldiers have been sent into situations not anticipated when the UN's request for forces was accepted," he said.