India has currently committed 8,093 soldiers, out of a total of 93,368 UN peacekeepers, across the world. Only Pakistan and Bangladesh have more. The consequent risk to Indian lives is obvious.
But many volunteer, eager to take the risk not only because it adds to their bio-data, but also pays them handsomely, while also protecting their existing pay at home. The government, too, sees merit in committing to UN peacekeeping as it validates India's commitment to undertake international duties.
Critics, however, claim that top contributors - India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Nepal, Egypt, Jordan, Rwanda and Ghana -- are being unfair, putting their men to risk, attracted by compensation that the rich countries refund to them via the UN.
Protection of civilians is one of the principal mandates of UNMISS. India has the highest number in South Sudan, nearly a third out of the 7,000 soldiers, stationed to man vital installations in a land mass spread over 622,000 square km.
Besides two infantry battalions, a communication and signals unit and a field hospital, India will be committing an engineering company to this country in the next few days, officials said.
