Modi concerned over no say to countries providing troops

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced that India will contribute an additional battalion of 850 troops for UN peacekeeping operations, but also raised concern that troop contributing countries have no role in decision-making.
"India's commitment to UN Peacekeeping remains strong and will grow," Modi said in his address to the UN Summit on Peace Operations here yesterday.
Announcing India's new intended contributions, Modi said the country will contribute additional battalion of up to 850 troops in existing or new operations and three police units with higher representation of female peacekeepers.
He also announced India's commitment to provide critical enablers; deployment of technical personnel in UN missions; and, additional training for peacekeepers at facilities in India and in the field.

"Success of peacekeeping ultimately depends not on the weapons they (soldiers) carry but by the moral force of the UNSC," he told the gathering including Obama, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and leaders from a large number of other countries.
"The problems arise to a large extent because troop contributing countries do not have a role in the decision-making process," he said, adding "they do not have adequate representation in senior management and as Force Commanders".

Underlining the difficult circumstances under which troops have to do their duty, Modi said peacekeepers today are called upon not only to maintain peace and security, but also address a range of complex challenges.

"Mandates are ambitious but resources are limited... Today's peacekeepers are called upon not only to maintain peace and security, but also address a range of challenges," the Prime Minister said.
He called for peacekeeping missions to be deployed prudently with full recognition of their limitations and in support of political solutions.