New York, April 8 -- : India on Thursday expressed support for the mine action efforts of the United Nations (UN) agencies, adding that the UN Mine Action Service's (UNMAS) mine action has remained pivotal to the safety and security of peacekeepers around the world.

Speaking at a UN Security Council open debate, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Secretary (West) Vikas Swarup said: "It is a matter of deep concern that terrorist groups such as Da'esh, Hayat Taharir Al Sham [HTS], Al Nusra Front, have resorted to landmines and IEDs as low cost and effective options to spread terror and threaten innocent civilians. We are also witnessing similar trend in Mali, where peacekeepers have been targeted by IEDs."

He further called for that the cou...