Sunday, January 23 2005 10:32 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

United Nations: Impressed by the training given by India to peacekeepers prior to their UN assignments, the world body has said it is encouraging that New Delhi has agreed to increase the number of its police officers for the mission, besides including a "sizeable" number of women among them.

UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Jean-Marie Guehenno, who recently visited India and held discussions with top military officials, told reporters in United Nations that he was highly impressed by the training that India gives to peacekeepers prior to their taking the assignment with the world body.

Guehenno said the exercises he saw were very professionally conducted and training was intensive. Especially remarkable was the training given in the crowd control which is becoming a major need as the peacekeepers are introduced into conflict areas and unstable situations.

Replying to questions, he expressed satisfaction at India offering sizeable number of women police officers for the mission at a time when their presence is becoming very necessary.

Officials said the UN is finding it difficult to get women officers and they expect that India could provide up to 60.

Guehenno said it is encouraging that India also agreed to increase the number of its police officers and include a "sizeable" number of women among them.

The demand for women officers is increasing following allegations of rape and abuse of women by peacekeepers.