UN Official for Bigger Indian Role in Peace-Keeping Ops

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Hailing India's contribution to UN peace keeping missions, a top official of the world body today sought a "larger role" for the country, commensurate with its growing stature, to bring peace and security in various conflict various zones.

"We are tremendously grateful to India for its contribution towards the UN peace-keeping missions. Now we want to further strengthen the partnership between India and the UN to meet the growing challenges around the world," said Anthony Banbury, Assistant Secretary General for Field Support in UN.

Banbury, who met Army Chief General V K Singh, said the UN wants India -- a major troop contributor to global peacekeeping missions -- to play a bigger role in devising strategies and policies for the world body in meeting growing challenges in various conflict zones.

"We want a bigger role for India in finalising strategies and policies. We see for India a role in peace keeping operations commensurate with its ever growing role in the world," the UN official, who will also hold talks with senior officials in Ministry of External Affairs and Defence, told reporters here.

Expressing deep concern over growing incidents of sexual violence in conflict zones, he said the world body has a "zero tolerance" to such crimes.

Admitting that there are cases of sexual violence by UN peacekeepers in certain areas, he said such kind of behaviour "not only hurts the victims but it also affects the image of the UN and undermines its ability to help the affected people in conflict zones."

Margot Wallstrom, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, said the world body will introduce new resources for pre-deployment and in-country training of UN peacekeepers so as to make them sensitive towards women.

"We are making these efforts for the first time in 60 years. Sexual violence in conflict zones is a major issue and we must prevent it. Ending immunity is the first thing we are taking. Strict rules have to be enforced," she said.

Asked about incidents of sexual violence by UN peacekeepers, she said some of such reports are not based on facts.

"Suppose our peacekeepers in jungle of Congo saw half naked women screaming in their native language. What do they do. If the troops bring them inside the vehicle, they will be accused. If the troops do not help them, then there will be criticism," she said.

Reaffirming that ending impunity is essential to stop sexual violence in conflict zones, she also sought cooperation of all troop contributing countries so that UN peacekeepers do not involve in such crimes.

"Sexual violence today is used as a weapon or tactic or strategy in war. The idea of the training programme is to train the troops on how to react to certain situations. To inculcate best peacekeeping practises," the UN official said.

Asked about incidents of sexual violence in Jammu and Kashmir, Wallstrom said, "We have not received any report in this regard."

She said "mass rapes are taking place in Libya and Congo" and called for concerted efforts to bring peace and security in the conflict zones of these two countries.

The UN official also lavished praise on the Indian women police contingent deployed in Liberia and described them as role model for others. "They are really true role models for the others."

Banbury hailed the Indian peacekeepers for their "high levels of commitment and capabilities" and said India has been playing an important role in peacekeeping missions since 1956.

"It is not about number of troops alone. It is about quality and capabilities of personnel also. We want a real strategic partnership with India. India has a hugely professional army, India has a hugely capable military. India has a full range of military capabilities. It has been built over a period of time," he said.

Banbury also paid glowing tributes to 140 Indian peacekeepers who have lost their lives in various missions.

Asked whether there will any role of India in any possible UN peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan, he said the world body does not see any such mission in the country.

He also condemned last week's attack on UN staff in the Afghan city of Mazar-i-Sharif.

Wallstrom congratulated the people of India for the Indian team lifting the cricket World Cup.