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Poland has welcomed India joining the joint statement condemning the attacks on UN peacekeeping forces in southern Lebanon. UNIFIL or United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon has come under attack under Israeli forces, leading to injuries to the peacekeepers. 

Speaking to WION's Sidhant Sibal, Poland's top diplomat in India, Chargé d'affaires  Sebastian Domżalski said: "We are very glad and happy that India decided to align with this joint statement. We recognise the importance of Indian contribution." 

India is the third largest contributor to UNIFIL with 903 of its military personnel present in it. Around 40 countries, including India and Germany, are part of the joint statement. Full interview:

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Sidhant Sibal: Key focus of the Polish initiative on the UNIFIL or UN Peacekeepers coming under attack?

Sebastian Domżalski: As far as the Polish initiative is concerned, you're very right, we have initiated in New York, a joint statement. A statement that was joined by 34 countries, initially. A statement to comment on the safety and security of the peacekeepers, and peacekeeping force UNIFIL in southern Lebanon. Over the last couple of days, we've been witnessing a worsening security situation in southern Lebanon.

We witnessed attacks on UN peacekeepers. This is something that must be stopped and has to be condemned, and in fact, safeguarding, safety and security of UN peacekeepers is of paramount importance. This is what this joint statement is about.

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Sidhant Sibal: Essentially, the joint statement, what does it say, what's the message by Poland, and what is the Polish stance on the situation? You've already talked about it, but if you can give more details

Sebastian Domżalski: The main message that is there, as I've already said, is safeguarding, safety and security of UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon. The UNIFIL mission has been playing an important role in stabilizing the situation in southern Lebanon. And of course, its main goal is ensuring lasting peace. And this is a mandate that was given by the United Nations. And this mission should continue.

As Poland, we've been contributing to this mission for a long time, as India also has contributed. So there is an important factor and important contribution of countries.

Sidhant Sibal: India, which contributes the third largest number of troops to UNIFIL, the UN peacekeepers in Lebanon, has also joined this Polish initiative. How do you see it?

Sebastian Domżalski: We are very glad and happy that India decided to align with this joint statement. We recognise the importance of Indian contribution. In fact, the Polish mission, the Polish contingent, has around 200 people. India's contribution is around 900, so India has even bigger stakes there.

Also read | Israel vs UN: Netanyahu tells Guterres to withdraw peacekeepers from south Lebanon

Sidhant Sibal: When it comes to the UN peacekeepers, how do you see their role?

Sebastian Domżalski: UN peacekeepers, United Nations, as a matter of fact, play a very important role, and multilateral cooperation plays a very important role in preserving security and stability around the world, and our contribution to the UN peacekeepers is also proof of our commitment to the multilateral system, as it is also proof of India's contribution to the UN peacekeeping forces is also a proof of of India's contribution to the multilateral system.