India's Explanation of Vote

Adoption of UNSC resolution renewing the mandate of United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA)

29 June 2021

 
Thank you, Mr. President. I am taking the floor to explain India’s position on the resolution just adopted.
 

2.​ Mali is currently facing serious political and security challenges. This delicate phase requires the renewed commitment of all stakeholders in Mali to the Peace Agreement and its implementation, as well as ownership of the Transition Roadmap. The continued support of bilateral and international partners to Mali, including the UN, AU and ECOWAS, is much needed in these challenging times. India remains committed to support Mali to overcome the present political and security crisis. 
 

3.​MINUSMA has been playing an important role in stabilizing the security situation in Mali through its support to the peace process. We commend the efforts of MINUSMA peacekeepers, who are functioning under complex and extremely challenging circumstances. The contribution of MINUSMA towards peace and security in Mali need to be recognized unequivocally.
 

4.​I would also like to underline that the primary responsibility to fight terrorists and extremist armed groups lies with the Malian defence and security forces.  MINUSMA peacekeepers are there to support the Malian defence and security forces to implement the Peace Agreement and its provisions.
 

5.​The effective implementation of peacekeeping mandates is the responsibility of all stakeholders, not just the troop contributing countries (TCCs). However, the Operative Para 46 singles out TCCs and puts the onus on them for  what is mentioned in the para, I quote “shared responsibility for effective mandate implementation” end quote.  This Para gives an impression that the TCCs in Mali did not perform in a professional manner. Such a conclusion has not been drawn in any of the reports as such.  In fact, the contrary is true, since the TCCs have been performing courageously in the extreme challenging environment in Mali.
 

6.​We have already agreed that the evaluation of performance should not be limited to TCCs, but include all components of the mission, that is uniform, civilian and mission leadership. This is reflected in the Integrated Performance Policy Framework, including Comprehensive Planning Performance Assessment system. The insertion of any language to the contrary will undermine the framework we have painstakingly put together as well as absolve the civilian leadership of the Mission from any misdemeanor. We, therefore, continue to call for implementation of Integrated Performance Policy Framework, to hold all civilian and uniformed peacekeepers, particularly leadership, accountable for effective performance under common parameters while addressing performance shortfalls.