At the inaugural ‘Conference for Women Peacekeepers from the Global South’, the External Affairs Minister reaffirmed India’s commitment to capacity-building. India will provide specialized training through the Centre for UN Peacekeeping. As a leader in UN peacekeeping, deploying over 290,000 personnel, India strengthens global peace through strategic diplomacy and cooperation.
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Picture Courtesy: INDIAN EXPRESS
The External Affairs Minister highlighted India’s commitments to supporting Global South nations in building their peacekeeping capacities at the inaugural ‘Conference for Women Peacekeepers from the Global South’.
India will continue offering specialized training programs via the Centre for UN Peacekeeping, including courses for women peacekeepers, as demonstrated with ASEAN countries in 2023.
India has been a pioneer in deploying women peacekeepers (e.g., the first all-women police unit in Liberia in 2007). Over 150 Indian women are currently deployed across six missions, including Congo, South Sudan, and Lebanon.
India views peacekeeping as a tool for global peace, rooted in diplomacy and cooperation, guided by the principle "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" (the world is one family) .
The UN has no standing military, so member states volunteer troops for missions. Peacekeepers protect civilians, prevent conflict, and empower local authorities.
The first mission, the UN Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO), began in 1948 to monitor the Israel-Arab armistice. Since then, over 71 field operations have been conducted, with 14 active missions as of 2024 .
Peacekeepers use force only in self-defense or to fulfill their mandate, as authorized by the UN Security Council (UNSC). They wear national uniforms but are identified by blue helmets/berets .
The UNSC oversees peacekeeping operations, funded collectively by member states. The U.S. (26.95%) and China (18.69%) pay the most; India’s share is 0.2088% .
Despite high costs, peacekeeping’s effectiveness is debated. Critics question whether missions address root causes of conflict .
Since the 1950s, India has contributed over 290,000 peacekeepers to 50+ missions, making it the largest troop contributor historically. Currently, 5,466 Indian personnel are deployed in 9 of 11 active missions, including challenging environments like Congo and Lebanon .
India has lost 179 personnel in service, including Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria (posthumously awarded India’s highest military honor for his role in Congo in 1961) .
India deployed its first female medical officers in Congo in the 1960s and led the first all-women police unit in Liberia in 2007. Notable figures include Kiran Bedi (first UN Police Advisor) and Major Radhika Sen (UN Military Gender Advocate Award 2023) .
Strategic benefits: Sustained participation boosts India’s international reputation and supports its bid for a permanent UNSC seat.
Financial incentives: Contributing countries receive reimbursement (e.g., $1,428 per soldier/month). For developing nations, this can supplement foreign exchange .
Some argue troop contributions are driven by national interests (e.g., China’s focus on African commercial gains, India’s UNSC ambitions) rather than purely altruistic motives .
As of October 2024:
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