India seeks adequate resources for UN peacekeepers

"It (the Council) must make available the resources that are required to implement the ambitious legislative framework that it has created," Indian Ambassador to the UN, Hardeep Singh Puri, told the 15-member Security Council during the course of a special debate on 'Sexual Violence'.

UN peacekeeping missions and peacekeepers in the ground "are being asked to do more and more with less and less," Puri said in his remarks.

As a country that will join the Security Council in January 2011, India will remain seriously engaged with both the evolution of the normative side and its implementation, he added.

Referring to the resolution adopted by the UN Security Council on this issue, Puri said while the decision of the Council will expand the scope of peacekeeping mandates, no cognisance is taken of the fact that resources to implement the existing mandates are already inadequate.

"Accountability must be established for those who mandate but do not provide resources," he said, adding that being one of the largest troop contributing countries in UN history, with more than 100,000 peacekeepers in 40 UN missions, India has perhaps more experience than most in implementing Security Council mandates.

It is, indeed, Indian troops along with the peacekeepers of fellow troop contributing countries, who convert the intent of this Council into deed.

"We take great pride in the stellar record of our peacekeepers, both men and women, in the protection of women, children and the weak," Puri said.

"The Council has been briefed that Indian troops have apprehended some of the principal culprits behind the recent sexual violence in MONUSCO. We can do much more if more troops are deployed, if more resources, capacities and enablers are made available. It is a matter of concern that the Council is unable to address these deficits," Puri said.

India, he said, has consistently held the view that greater participation of women in the areas of conflict prevention, peace negotiations, peacekeeping and post-conflict reconstruction is an essential pre-requisite for lasting peace and security.

"Today's resolution identifies Women Protection Advisers as key components of the implementation strategy. We support this concept. We believe that Advisers need to have direct and relevant experience and would be happy to contribute personnel who have what would be required to be effective," he said.