The number of fatalities among United Nations Peacekeeping Forces (UNPKF) in direct attacks is growing, said U.N. Undersecretary General Jean-Pierre Lacroix in an interview to The Hindu, when he visited Delhi last week to discuss the need for more “robust” mandates and better equipment, training and technology with Indian officials. Mr. Lacroix’s visit to the region came amid a number of attacks by anti-U.N. groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where two Indian soldiers were among those killed in the last few weeks.
Explained | What is the U.N. Peacekeeping mission?
India is among the highest contributors of troops to the UNPKF, and has lost 179 soldiers in the past six decades, the highest fatality suffered by any country among “blue helmets”, and has been demanding a greater say in the decision making on U.N. peacekeeping missions.
