The Indian Army honoured the 76th International Day of United Nations (UN) Peacekeepers by paying tribute to fallen comrades at the National War Memorial in New Delhi. Lieutenant General Rakesh Kapoor, Deputy Chief of the Army Staff (Information Systems & Coordination), along with officials from the United Nations, the Ministry of Defence, and the Ministry of External Affairs, laid wreaths today (May 29, 2024).
This day marks the start of the first UN Peacekeeping Mission, the “UN Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO),” which began operations in Palestine in 1948.
Every year, the UN and countries around the world pay tribute to the dedication, courage, and professionalism of men and women serving in UN Peacekeeping Missions. This day also honours those who have sacrificed their lives for peace. India has a long history of contributing to UN Peacekeeping operations and is one of the largest contributors of troops. India has sent about 287,000 troops to various missions.
Indian Army personnel have operated under challenging conditions, showing great bravery and making the ultimate sacrifice to uphold UN mandates. So far, 160 Indian Army soldiers have lost their lives in peacekeeping missions. Currently, Indian Armed Forces are deployed in nine countries for peacekeeping missions, including UNDOF, UNIFIL, UNTSO, UNFICYP, MONUSCO, UNMISS, UNIFSA, MINUSCA, and MINURSO.
India & UN Peacekeeping
India has been a leader in developing the capacity for UN peacekeeping, supporting UN initiatives with agile units, training peacekeepers, providing logistic support, enhancing gender parity, and contributing to technological advancements. India supports host nation capacity development through training, infrastructure projects, and Civil Military Coordination (CIMIC) activities. Indian Army Veterinary Detachments have also shown excellent performance in UN Missions, notably improving livestock health in Abyei, Sudan, under Lieutenant Colonel Gurpreet Singh Bali.
The Indian Army has established the Centre for UN Peacekeeping (CUNPK) in New Delhi, which trains over 12,000 troops annually in peacekeeping operations. Financial Express Online has reported previously that the CUNPK offers national and international courses for potential peacekeepers and trainers, shares best practices, and sends Mobile Training Teams to friendly foreign countries for capacity building in UN peacekeeping training. Over the past two decades, the Centre has become a repository of experience and best practices.
To ensure operational efficiency and sustainability of Indian contingents in UN missions, the Indian Army uses state-of-the-art equipment and vehicles manufactured in India, which have proven reliable in difficult terrains and conditions.
The UN aims to increase the participation of women peacekeepers to address the concerns of local women in mission areas. India supports this initiative and has deployed Female Engagement Teams (FETs) in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Abyei, the second-largest Indian women contingent after Liberia.
Women as UN Peacekeepers
India has also deployed women military police in the Golan Heights and women Staff Officers/Military Observers in various missions. Major Radhika Sen has been selected to receive the “Military Gender Advocate of the Year 2023” award from the UN, recognizing the positive contributions of Indian women in UN peacekeeping efforts.
At the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial in Accra, Ghana, in December 2023, India reaffirmed its commitment to future UN peacekeeping initiatives. India pledged an Infantry Battalion Group, various sub-groups, UN Pre-Deployment Training of Trainers Course, and UN Military Observers Course for the next two years.
