New Delhi, Oct 17: United Nations peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix has warned that the UN’s peace operations face their most severe financial crisis in decades, following widespread non-payment of assessed contributions by Member States. Speaking at a high-level peacekeeping conference in New Delhi, attended by defence officials and diplomats from around the world, Lacroix described the situation as “more daunting than ever.”

“Unfortunately, we have no other option,” he told the gathering, referring to massive cuts ordered across all UN peacekeeping missions. “Our peacekeepers, your peacekeepers, protect people – they make the difference between life and death for hundreds of thousands of civilians.”

The crisis stems from a sharp shortfall in contributions that finance UN operations in conflict zones such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, the Central African Republic, Lebanon, and the Golan Heights. As a result, Secretary-General António Guterres has directed all missions to reduce spending by 15 per cent, a move that will lead to a roughly 25 per cent reduction in uniformed and civilian staff due to compressed timelines.

“These cuts will touch every corner of our operations — from patrols and protection duties to logistics, air operations and humanitarian support,” Lacroix cautioned, as reported by UN News. The Department of Peace Operations (DPO) has also warned that fewer personnel in the field will mean reduced monitoring of ceasefires, fewer safe zones for civilians, and diminished support for relief operations.

Lacroix appealed to Member States to pay their dues “in full and on time”, urging renewed solidarity and collective advocacy to counter what he called “misinformation campaigns” against peacekeeping. “We need your understanding and support,” he said, “but we also need to work together to redress this situation.”

The UN General Assembly in July approved a $5.38 billion peacekeeping budget for 2025–26, slightly lower than last year’s $5.6 billion allocation. Yet, officials warned that implementation depends entirely on timely contributions. Despite accounting for less than 0.5 per cent of global military expenditure, peacekeeping remains one of the UN’s most visible and vital instruments for maintaining international peace and security.

UN Secretary-General Guterres, addressing troop and police-contributing countries last week, echoed Lacroix’s concerns. “Without predictable, adequate and timely financing, peacekeeping cannot deliver on its Security Council mandates,” he said.

Reflecting on the 80-year history of UN peace operations, which have deployed over two million ‘blue helmets’ and lost more than 4,400 personnel, Lacroix said the Organisation now stands at a “pivotal juncture.”

“The challenges ahead are real,” he said, “but so is our capacity to meet them — if we stay united in purpose, pragmatic in action, and unwavering in our commitment to peace.” The New Delhi conference, observers noted, came at a critical moment — bringing together key troop-contributing nations, including India, which is among the largest contributors of UN peacekeeping forces. The meeting underscored both the global reliance on peacekeeping missions and the urgent need to sustain their funding and effectiveness amid growing global instability.

Srinagar, Oct 17: Asserting that India now responds to terror threats with unprecedented resolve and strength, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said the PM Modi-led government’s action against terrorism in J&K is unlike anything seen in decades.

Addressing a public rally in Taraiya, Bihar, Shah, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said, “During the Congress rule, terrorists played ‘khoon ki holi’ (blood-soaked Holi) across India. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we entered their homes and wiped them out through ‘Operation Sindoor.’

He said that terrorists involved in the Pahalgam terror attack were brought to justice under ‘Operation Mahadev,’ and their handlers were also targeted inside Pakistan. “The way Modi ji responded to terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, no one did in the past several decades,” he added.

Highlighting the government’s achievements, the Home Minister said the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir was a historic decision that permanently integrated the region with the rest of the country. “From removing Article 370 to fighting terrorism, we have acted on every front. When terrorists tried to rise again, we launched Operation Sindoor and taught them a lesson in their own homes,” Shah said.

He said the government ended the practice of triple talaq, giving justice to Muslim women, and after 350 years fulfilled the long-standing promise of building the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

Shah also accused opposition parties of misleading people with “unrealistic promises” and reviving what he described as the politics of corruption and fear.

He said the regime led by PM Modi remains focussed on development, welfare, and national security.

“The Indian economy is now among the fastest-growing in the world, inflation is under control, and the country’s global standing has strengthened,” he said, adding that the government’s vision is to build a self-reliant and secure nation rooted in cultural values.

Calling for public vigilance, Shah urged citizens to stay alert against those who seek to derail progress. “Only a stable government can ensure continuity of development and the safety of the nation,” he said.

The Home Minister also launched a sharp attack on Lalu Prasad Yadav, the RJD, and the INDI Alliance, recalling the “jungle raj” era in Bihar marked by corruption and lawlessness. Expressing confidence, Shah said the NDA would return to power in Bihar with the largest majority in two decades.

He also paid tribute to late BJP leader Brijmohan Ji, and remembered Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan and Bhikhari Thakur, calling them symbols of Bihar’s political and cultural pride.

New Delhi, Oct 17: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday asserted that India now does not remain silent after terror attacks but hits back using surgical and air strikes.

Addressing the NDTV World Summit here, he said there are several roadblocks and speed breakers but India remains “unstoppable”.

“India no more remains silent after terror attacks but gives befitting reply through air strikes, surgical strikes and Operation Sindoor,” he said.

“When wars became headlines globally, India proved naysayers wrong by continuing to march ahead as fastest growing economy,” added Modi.

Noting that India is not in a “mood to stop”, he said as the world today faces various roadblocks and speed breakers, it is only natural to talk about an unstoppable India.

“We will neither pause nor slow down. 140 crore Indians will move forward together with full momentum.

“Today, India has moved from being among the fragile five to becoming one of the world’s top five economies…from chips to ships, India is self-reliant and filled with confidence in every sphere,” he said.