THE sincere appreciation of India’s participation in the United Nations Peace-keeping efforts by none other than Mr. Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the UN UnderSecretary General, comes as an endorsement of India’s faith in and commitment to the international systems put in place for an orderly conduct of international affairs from the UN platform. It is out of its philosophical commitment to the UN ideals that India has been on the forefront of the world body’s efforts to maintain peace in conflict-prone regions of the world. It is out of that faith that India has committed one of the largest peace-keeping forces in the world to the UN efforts.

 

The seriousness of India’s commitment to the cause can be understood from the fact that it has often sent some of its senior-most officers on UN peace-keeping missions in distant and difficult parts of the world. These officers add up to the Indian repository of military experience when they return from their UN missions. So sincere has their overall conduct on the peace-keeping missions that the world has come to appreciate the strength of character of the Indian officers in military and non-military roles. Some Indian officers have made highest sacrifices while on peace-keeping missions and have been awarded accordingly -- by the UN as well as by the Government of India. Many UN peace-keeping missions have been very tough -- often testing the capabilities of the Indian forces and the leadership qualities of their officers. Terrains are often hostile and local political conditions and configurations confusing. In some countries, local political groups even tend to link the Indian presence in peace-keeping as a hostile message from India.

 

With passage of time, however, they realise the honest professionalism of the Indian troops and their officer-cadre. That is the reason in most cases the India forces have won local acclaim as well. India also has sent women troops on peace-keeping missions and those officers and soldiers have made a mark for themselves and for their country in those tough conditions abroad. This has led to an international recognition for India as a modern nation that has risen above old-style thoughts and social limitations. Mr. Jean-Pierre Lacroix has admitted that India does not just stop at sending good numbers of forces for peace-keeping assignments but also makes critical contribution to the UN policies on peace-keeping. This recognition holds a great importance from Indian point of view. Right from start of UN peace-keeping missions, India has made signal contribution -- including of very high-ranking officers who headed the UN forces in places such as Korea when the world was threatened with bloody and extended wars. This approach states very correctly the faith India has in the ideals of the United Nations and its charter. That is also the reason why India has often felt a strong need for reforms in the United Nations so that the world body becomes more useful and meaningful to the international community. India believes that the United Nations would be a better apex body if it is subjected to appropriate reforms that would make it more representative of all global interests. True, proper reforms would give India an opportunity to contribute more meaningfully to fulfilling the UN goals. But India’s campaign for reforms does not stem only from political ambitions alone.