New Delhi, April 2 (NationPress) In a firm statement on Thursday, India underscored the necessity of safeguarding the integrity of UN missions, emphasizing the paramount importance of ensuring the safety and security of peacekeepers.

During a weekly media briefing in New Delhi, Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), articulated India's position as a prominent and longstanding contributor to UN peacekeeping efforts. In accordance with UN Security Council Resolution, India is calling for accountability for any crimes against peacekeepers.

Jaiswal condemned the recent violence against the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which has tragically resulted in numerous fatalities.

"Currently, approximately 600 Indian troops are deployed within UNIFIL. Our history of participating in peacekeeping missions spans several decades. As the largest troop-contributing nation to UN peacekeeping, the contributions of our personnel have been widely recognized for fostering global peace and security. We have previously issued statements denouncing the recent attacks on UNIFIL that led to the loss of lives of several troops," Jaiswal stated.

“We honor the sacrifice of these brave Blue Helmets. Once again, we stress the need for the inviolability of UN missions and the assurance of our peacekeepers' safety. As one of the longest-serving contributors to peacekeeping, and in alignment with UN Security Council Resolution 2589, we demand accountability for any crimes against peacekeepers," he continued.

On Monday, India condemned the killings of peacekeepers in Lebanon, insisting on the necessity of accountability for these heinous acts.

“We denounce the recent assaults on UN peacekeepers deployed in UNIFIL and pay tribute to the fallen Blue Helmets,” Jaiswal remarked.

According to Under-Secretary for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, three peacekeepers from Indonesia were killed within 24 hours, describing the incidents as intolerable and reaffirming that peacekeepers should never be made targets.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also expressed his condemnation regarding the killings, as reported by his spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric.

UNIFIL operates in a region of Lebanon adjacent to Israel, where Hezbollah and Israel are active. Its mission entails assisting the Lebanese government in reclaiming control from Hezbollah while serving as a fragile buffer with Israel.

The Indian mission emphasized that the country had proposed the Security Council resolution in 2021 during its elected membership, which called for accountability for those who attack peacekeepers.

India remains committed to pursuing action against the perpetrators of these crimes.