While there is a strong opinion growing in New Delhi that India must pull out its 700-plus troops, currently deployed as part of the UN peacekeeping force in Southern Lebanon, sources said the Government has put the decision under “constant review” after Beirut made a specific request to India not to pull out its troops now. Even the UN has requested India not to withdraw from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

The current UN mandate for deploying a peacekeeping force in Lebanon, which has been extended until August 31 next year, was revised to include aspects like taking action to ensure that the area under its control is not used for any hostile activities. UNIFIL is empowered to take any action it deems fit to achieve this objective.

The strength of the forces too have been increased from 2,000 to 15,000 with countries like France agreeing to send fresh troops. Sources said there are undefined areas which give sufficient scope for differing interpretations. This is one of the reasons why India has made it clear what it would like its role to be.

The revised mandate is definitely a step forward from the earlier description to just “observe and report” that did not require UN forces to open fire unless threatened. Some sections in South Block feel it is time to withdraw because the mandate has become a peace enforcing one. In such a situation, India may have little to gain, but a lot to lose. Any action against Hizbollah could result in a damaging response from the Muslim world, including within India, and strictly abiding by the old mandate may lead to pressure from Israel and the US. The government, however, does not want to move in a hurry and is keen to honour the Lebanese request.

Given that the security situation is better with cessation of hostilities and no immediate threat to Indian forces stationed there, sources said, New Delhi can wait a little longer to see how the revised UN mandate is actually implemented on ground.

The Indian contingent is the largest in the UNIFIL, but New Delhi was not consulted pro-actively when the mandate was being revised to halt the hostilities in Southern Lebanon after Israel mounted strikes on Hizbollah positions.

Given that it made little contribution to this diplomatic exercise, India now feels it must not act in any manner that erodes its goodwill in the region and goes against its national interest.