Wed Feb 26 16:59:38 UTC 2025: ## UN Official Highlights India’s Key Role in Peacekeeping Amidst Congo Crisis
**New Delhi, February 27, 2025** – The Under-Secretary-General for United Nations Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, concluded a visit to India Wednesday, praising the country’s significant contribution to UN peacekeeping missions. Lacroix emphasized India’s commitment, noting the presence of Indian peacekeepers in most missions, particularly highlighting the challenges faced in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) due to the M23 rebel group’s activities.
Lacroix’s visit coincided with a conference on “Women in Peacekeeping – A Global South Perspective,” organized by the Indian government. He stressed the need for UN reforms, including Security Council reform, to reflect current global realities. While acknowledging the complexities of the situation in Ukraine, he described potential third-party ceasefire monitoring as hypothetical.
Concerning the DRC, Lacroix expressed deep concern over the M23 rebel group’s territorial gains, supported by Rwandan armed forces. He stated that this significantly worsens the already dire humanitarian situation and restricts UN peacekeeping operations in M23-controlled areas. While acknowledging the risks faced by Indian peacekeepers in these areas, he assured that measures are in place to ensure their safety.
India, currently the fourth-largest troop-contributing country to UN peacekeeping (after Nepal, Rwanda, and Bangladesh), has over 1,200 peacekeepers deployed in the DRC. Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth underscored India’s long-standing commitment, highlighting the deployment of over 290,000 troops across more than 50 UN missions over seven decades. Lacroix’s visit included meetings with senior Indian officials and a visit to the National Defence College. He is now en route to Congo.
First Piper 