India Calls for Enhanced African Representation in UN Peacekeeping

By A Staff Reporter

New York: During a recent open debate at the UN Security Council focused on strengthening UN peacekeeping, India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Parvathaneni Harish, underscored the importance of UN peacekeeping as a pivotal tool for maintaining global peace. Harish pointed out that since the inception of peacekeeping missions in 1948, they have played a crucial role in UN-led efforts to stabilize conflict zones, despite facing inherent limitations.

Addressing the Council, Harish noted that a significant portion of the Security Council’s work is concentrated on Africa, and emphasized that India has consistently advocated for greater representation of African nations in line with established consensus and declarations. He argued that enhancing African representation would better reflect the region's involvement and interests in peacekeeping efforts.

In addition to advocating for increased African representation, Harish proposed that the Security Council should consider authorizing peace support operations led by the African Union. He highlighted that such an approach could enhance the effectiveness of peacekeeping missions on the continent by leveraging regional expertise and resources.

Harish also highlighted India's longstanding commitment to UN peacekeeping, noting that the country has made substantial contributions by deploying over a quarter of a million troops across more than 50 missions over the past seven decades. This extensive involvement underscores India's dedication to supporting international peace and security, reinforcing its call for a more inclusive and representative approach within the UN peacekeeping framework.