
©oneindia.com
New Delhi, Nov 14: Indian troops for UN peacekeeping in South Sudan are training hard at an army camp before their induction and will undergo two COVID-19 tests before being sent to that country, senior officials said on Friday.
Indian troops are "one of the most sought after" when it comes to deployment in a foreign country for peacekeeping, a senior official of the army.
"At present, our troops are already serving in South Sudan with blue helmets under the UNMISS and the new troops getting trained in the Khanpur Transit Camp in south Delhi will be inducted in batches to relieve those serving there right now in a phased manner. However, all precautions are being taken due to COVID-19," he said.
The UNMISS is United Nations Mission in South Sudan.
The official said before final induction, each member of the battalion undergoes rigorous training at the camp and has to clear two RT-PCR tests.
"One test is conducted 21 days ahead of the date on which they are to be flown for induction. And, those found negative are then quarantined at various facilities, including one at Manesar in Haryana.
Then they are administered another COVID test, 72 hours before induction. So, all precautions have been taken, besides social distancing norms," he said.
The purpose of "quarantining" them is to keep them safe so that they do not contract the infection, the official said.
Another senior official said that after reaching the destination country, there is a "mandatory 14-day quarantine to ensure safety of all troops".
One contingent of the battalion is slated to fly to South Sudan on November 27, he said.
At the Khanpur camp, a group of reporters on Friday were given a sneak peek into the training regimen of the troops, under "exercise Blue Helmet".
India is among the largest troop contributing countries to UN peacekeeping operations, which help nations navigate the difficult path to peace post a conflict.
Indian troops have served in such operations since the Korean War (1950-53), and in about 51 missions, of the total 71 so far done by the UN, officials said.
Newer articles:
- Atong Atem: Australia has never been secure or comfortable for me - 15/11/2020 08:26
- Okello explains why Uganda game vs South Sudan is 'very important' - 15/11/2020 00:46
- Increasing access to life-saving primary healthcare services in South Sudan's flood-affected areas - 14/11/2020 08:26
- Peace in South Sudan closer after opposition group accepts ceasefire deal - 14/11/2020 01:58
- New US Diplomat: South Sudan Policy Unlikely to Change - 13/11/2020 20:50
Older news items
- South Sudan, WHO begin campaign to vaccinate 1.5m children against polio - 13/11/2020 19:21
- Change of Her Majesty’s Ambassador to South Sudan: Jonny Baxter - 13/11/2020 01:17
- Why McKinstry won’t criticise Uganda despite poor show vs South Sudan - 13/11/2020 00:43
- UN Security Council renews mandate of peacekeeping force in Abyei - 12/11/2020 21:22
- Will South Sudan follow its northern neighbour's lead? - 12/11/2020 08:01
Latest news items (all categories):
- Corruption Perceptions Index 2024, South Sudan slides to bottom overtaking Somalia - 11/02/2025 11:17
- Vacancy Announcements - UNICEF South Sudan (11/02/2025) - 11/02/2025 10:49
- President Salva Kiir sacks two vice presidents and others in a decree today (10/02/2025) - 10/02/2025 19:36
- South Sudan parties adjourn talks in Kenya - 10/02/2025 16:24
- South Sudan becomes 22nd African country to be affected by mpox - 10/02/2025 16:21
Random articles (all categories):
- Justice John Luk: Set the captives free. - 24/06/2010 01:00
- Desperate hunger, but no famine, predicted in South Sudan - 27/05/2015 14:29
- Sudan sees S. Sudan oil deal despite impasse - 18/01/2012 18:02
- South Sudan Peace Process ‘Precarious’ But Advancing after Leaders Recommit to Transitional Government, Top Official Tells Security Council - 18/09/2019 15:52
- Sudan parties threaten to boycott elections - 01/10/2009 16:22
Popular articles:
- Who is the darkest person in the world, according to Guinness World Record? - 25/10/2022 02:34 - Read 70893 times
- No oil in troubled waters - 25/03/2014 15:02 - Read 22374 times
- School exam results in South Sudan show decline - 01/04/2012 17:58 - Read 21585 times
- Top 10 weakest currency exchange rates in Africa in 2023 - 19/07/2023 00:24 - Read 19362 times
- NDSU student from South Sudan receives scholarship - In-Forum - 29/09/2012 01:44 - Read 19232 times