S Jaishankar Says UN Peacekeeping Is More Challenging Than Ever Before

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the data shows that in the last three years alone, 68 peacekeepers belonging to 20 countries have lost lives for the cause of peace.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday noted that ever-increasing challenges posed to the UN peacekeeping mission and raised concern about how the involvement of armed groups and terrorists has adversely impacted peacekeeping operations globally.

He made these remarks at the 'Launch of Group of Friends to promote Accountability for Crimes Against Peacekeepers' in the Trusteeship Council. Along with India, contributing countries like Bangladesh, Egypt, France, Morocco and Nepal, participated as its co-chairs.

"UN peacekeeping is more challenging than ever before. It's done under ambiguous situations and in hostile zones. Involvement of armed groups, terrorists and transnational organized crime has adversely impacted peacekeeping operations," the minister said in his keynote address.

He noted that the involvement of armed groups, terrorists and transnational organised crime has adversely impacted the operations of peacekeepers. The external affairs minister also noted the recent increase in crimes against peacekeepers.