NEW DELHI, Aug 30: India said on Wednesday it would not want its troops in the UN military contingent in Lebanon to take on the role of peace enforcers as opposed to their current mandate in Unifil as peacekeepers.
“We would like our troops to be in the role as close to chapter six as possible,” Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee told reporters.
Under chapter six of the UN mandate New Delhi would continue to keep its troops in Lebanon to perform only peacekeeping activities.
However, if mandated for a more proactive role it could involve India in the tricky business of peace enforcement.
“We have been consistent contributors to the UN peacekeeping forces worldwide and as such our views on the issues need to be considered along with those of others,” Mr Mukherjee added.
There has been some uncertainty over whether or not India will keep its 673 troops in the United Nations Interim Force for Lebnanon (Unifil).
There are reports that the mandate of the peacekeepers in that country might be changed from peacekeeping to peace enforcement including disarming of the Hezbollah militia.
Indian peacekeepers are mostly deployed in the turbulent southern part of Lebanon which was the scene of heavy fighting between Israeli forces and Hezbollah.
Though the mandate of Unifil has been extended by a year, according to Press Trust of India New Delhi has not yet given its views whether or not it will like its troops to continue to be part of the force.
