India, US to train troops in Africa for peacekeeping ops

India and the US today agreed to train troops in six African countries before they deploy for UN peacekeeping operations, a decision that reflected India's increasing global role and deepening defence partnership with America.
One of the largest troop contributing nations for UN peacekeeping missions -- India -- has an impeccable record in carrying out such operations across the globe, while the US is one of the largest funder to UN peacekeeping missions.
"We agreed on a joint initiative to train troops in six African countries before they deploy to UN peacekeeping missions," US Secretary of State John Kerry told reporters at a joint news conference with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj,US Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker and Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

"This responds to a growing need for effective professional international peacekeeping in regions of conflict," Kerry said, adding that regrettably there are too many regions of conflict.
"The increase in peacekeeping demand is high, and we are very grateful to India for its expertise and for its willingness to help lend that expertise to this task," Kerry said, acknowledging India's contributions to the UN peacekeeping missions.