India has demanded substantial changes to UN peacekeeping, highlighting the need for a consensus-driven strategy that improves financing, technology, and the participation of nations who provide troops.
Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish recently spoke at a UN Security Council debate about India’s plans to update peacekeeping missions to counter new threats like non-state actors and sophisticated weapons like drones and IEDs.
Harish emphasised that insufficient money compromises the efficacy of peacekeeping operations and that sufficient resources must be in line with operational directives. He said that redundant operations that are not operationally necessary should be rationalised since they take vital resources away from more pressing peacekeeping requirements.
India emphasised the crucial role that women play in peacekeeping and reaffirmed its commitment to the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) and Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) agendas. Harish emphasised that women’s participation are essential to the success of peacekeeping and praised India for hosting a conference for female peacekeepers from the Global South.
Harish prioritised peacekeeper safety in his speech, calling for stronger security measures in the face of complicated conflicts. In order to enhance situational awareness and response skills, he promoted the integration of cutting-edge technology into peacekeeping missions.
Harish also emphasised the need for political solutions and UN Security Council reforms to reflect contemporary geopolitical realities in order to sustain peacekeeping as a means of resolving disputes. He ended by recognising the sacrifices made by more than 4,000 peacekeepers, including 182 Indians, and restating India’s longstanding support to UN peacekeeping.
India’s initiative on these matters demonstrates its commitment to transforming UN peacekeeping into a more adaptable and efficient system in the difficult world of today.
