'UN nod must for any troop deployment in Gaza, Ukraine': India

New Delhi: India doesn't plan to send troops to Ukraine or Gaza without any mandate from the United Nations amid suggestions from the West that New Delhi may consider joining any peacekeeping role in these conflict zones.

India outlined its position at a recent UN-related meeting in the national capital. New Delhi reiterated its longstanding policy against deploying military personnel to foreign conflict zones, including in Ukraine or Gaza, unless mandated by the UN Security Council and conducted under the UN flag.

Vishwesh Negi, an Indian foreign service officer currently deputed to the defence ministry, emphasised that Indian peacekeepers would only be deployed under a UN mandate mission with UNSC clearance, as per relevant chapters of the UN Charter.

"Given the composition of the UNSC, such a deployment is highly unlikely," Negi said.