Peacekeeping and India: Leadership, Women, and Global Service
Peacekeeping and India: Leadership, Women, and Global Service
“At the heart of our foreign policy lies a commitment to peacekeeping—rooted in dialogue, diplomacy, and cooperation. Guided by the philosophy of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” the belief that the world is one family, India will continue to contribute meaningfully to the cause of UN peacekeeping.”
– Dr S. Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of India
1) UN Peacekeeping supports countries moving from conflict to peace through deployed missions under UN mandates, complementing peacemaking and peacebuilding, with tasks expanding beyond military observation into multidimensional governance support.
2) India is among the largest contributors, with over 2,90,000 peacekeepers serving in more than 50 UN missions since the 1950s, reflecting sustained operational commitment across continents.
3) Current footprint is stated as 5,000+ Indian peacekeepers deployed in 9 active missions, operating in high-risk environments to protect civilians, secure agreements, and stabilise conflict zones.
4) “Blue Helmets” derive from the UN flag’s light blue colour adopted in 1947, symbolising peace, contrasting red’s association with war, becoming an enduring visual identity of UN missions.
5) UN peacekeeping began in 1948 with UNTSO in the Middle East, initially unarmed observer missions focused on monitoring ceasefires, mediation, and reporting, before later mandate expansion.
The nine UN peacekeeping missions where the Indian Armed Forces were involved as of May 29, 2024:
6) Post–Cold War 1990s saw major expansion of peacekeeping scale and scope, shifting to multidimensional missions combining military, political, and humanitarian elements in civil-conflict settings globally.
7) Mission failures in Rwanda and Bosnia triggered reforms, including the Brahimi Report (2000), emphasising clearer mandates, adequate resources, and more robust operational posture in hostile theatres.
8) Modern missions may be authorised to use force for civilian protection and mandate enforcement when host state capacity is inadequate, reflecting evolution from traditional neutrality-only observation roles.
9) Core mission functions include facilitating political processes, protecting civilians, supporting DDR, assisting elections, and strengthening human rights and rule of law to prevent relapse into violence.
10) India’s participation is traced to UN operations in Korea (1953), aligning peacekeeping with India’s non-violence ethos and “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” framing in foreign policy.
11) Sacrifice is highlighted with nearly 180 Indian peacekeepers stated to have died in service, underscoring operational risk and long-term commitment to international security responsibilities.
12) In 2023, Dag Hammarskjöld Medal was awarded posthumously to Indian peacekeepers Shishupal Singh and Sanwala Ram Vishnoi, plus civilian UN worker Shaber Taher Ali, for Congo sacrifice.
13) Women’s participation remains low globally, stated as under 10% of 70,000 uniformed peacekeepers; UN targets 15% military and 25% police women by 2028.
14) Women, Peace and Security agenda began with UNSC Resolution 1325 (2000), followed by resolutions 1820, 1888, 1889, 2122, and 2242 addressing participation and sexual violence.
15) India pioneered all-female Formed Police Unit deployment in Liberia (2007), and as of February 2025 has 150+ women peacekeepers across six missions, with Major Radhika Sen recognised in 2023.
The following table summarizes some of the key UN peacekeeping missions where India has been involved:
| Mission Name | Location | Year | India’s Contribution | |
| UN Assistance Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) | Central African Republic | 2014-Present | Formed Police Units (FPUs) and military observers | |
| UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) | South Sudan | 2012-Present | Infantry battalion, medical personnel, and engineering units | |
| UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) | DR Congo | 2010-Present | Infantry battalions, medical units, and support staff | |
| UN Mission in the Golan Heights (UNDOF) | Golan Heights | 2006-Present | Logistics Battalion with 188 personnel for logistics security | |
| UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS/UNMISS) | Sudan/South Sudan | 2005-Present | Battalion groups, engineer company, Signal Company, hospitals, military observers (MILOBs) and staff officers (SOs) | |
| UN Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC/MONUSCO) | DR Congo | 2005-Present | Infantry Brigade Group (three battalions, including RDB), hospital, MILOBs, SOs, and two FPUs | |
| UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) | Lebanon | 1998-Present | Infantry battalion group with 762 personnel and 18 staff officers | |
| UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) | Liberia | 2007-16 | Deployed both male and female FPUs | |
| UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) | Ethiopia-Eritrea | 2006-08 | Contributed an infantry battalion group, an engineer company, and a force reserve company | |
| UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) | Haiti | 2004-17 | Contributed Formed Police Units (FPUs) from various police forces | |
| UN Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) | Sierra Leone | 1999-2001 | Deployed infantry battalions, engineer companies, and other support elements | |
| UN Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM) | Angola | 1989-99 | Provided military observers and staff officers | |
| UN Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR) | Rwanda | 1994-96 | Contributed medical personnel and logistical support | |
| UN Operation in Somalia (UNOSOM II) | Somalia | 1993-94 | Deployed an Army Brigade Group and four Navy battleships | |
| UN Operation in the Congo (ONUC) | Congo | 1960-64 | Deployed two brigades to counter secession and re-integrate the country | |
| UN Emergency Force (UNEF I) | Middle East | 1956-67 | Contributed to an infantry battalion and other support elements | |
| Control of Indo-China | Indo-China (Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos) | 1954-70 | Provided an infantry battalion and supporting staff for monitoring ceasefire and repatriation of prisoners of war | |
| UN Operation in Korea | Korea | 1950-54 | Provided medical cover to UN forces, chaired the Neutral Nations Repatriation Commission | |
Must Know Terms :
1. UN Peacekeeping: Started in 1948 with UNTSO, it helps societies move from conflict to peace. Modern mandates combine ceasefire support, civilian protection, DDR, election assistance, human-rights monitoring, and rule-of-law institution building. Core principles remain consent of parties, impartiality, and restrained use of force, yet recent missions are multidimensional and sometimes “robust” to protect civilians and implement mandates under volatile conditions.
2. Blue Helmets: The term refers to UN peacekeepers’ distinctive light-blue headgear, adopted in 1947 from the UN flag’s colour, symbolising peace and neutrality. The visual identity helps differentiate UN personnel from belligerents, signals international legitimacy, and builds local trust. In high-risk theatres, the blue helmet becomes a practical marker for protected status, mandate authority, and disciplined conduct expected under UN rules of engagement.
3. Dag Hammarskjöld Medal: This is the UN’s highest peacekeeping honour, awarded posthumously to personnel who lose their lives while serving in UN operations. In 2023, Indian peacekeepers Shishupal Singh and Sanwala Ram Vishnoi, along with civilian UN worker Shaber Taher Ali, received it for sacrifice in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The award highlights operational risk, duty, and institutional recognition of ultimate service.
4. CUNPK: The Centre for United Nations Peacekeeping in New Delhi is the Indian Army’s dedicated peacekeeping training hub. It runs pre-deployment and specialist courses for contingents, observers, staff officers, and trainers; captures best practices; and deploys mobile training teams to partner countries. On 24–25 February 2025, it hosted the Conference on Women Peacekeepers from the Global South at Manekshaw Centre, reinforcing India’s leadership in inclusive peacekeeping.
5. Women, Peace and Security (UNSCR 1325): Adopted in 2000, UNSC Resolution 1325 formally recognised women’s roles in conflict prevention, peace processes, and post-conflict reconstruction. Follow-up WPS resolutions (1820, 1888, 1889, 2122, 2242) strengthened commitments against conflict-related sexual violence and for women’s participation. The UN’s Uniformed Gender Parity Strategy sets targets for 2028: 15% women in military contingents and 25% in police units.
6. All-Female Formed Police Unit (Liberia, 2007): India pioneered the first-ever all-female Formed Police Unit in the UN Mission in Liberia in 2007. FPUs provide cohesive policing capabilities such as crowd control, public-order tasks, and community engagement. The deployment became a benchmark for gender-responsive peacekeeping by improving outreach to women and children, strengthening trust, and inspiring local women to enter security roles. By Feb 2025, India reported 150+ women peacekeepers across six missions.
MCQ
1. UN peacekeeping as described functions primarily to:
(a) Replace the UN Charter with regional treaties
(b) Maintain global peace and security through mandated missions
(c) Conduct trade negotiations in conflict zones
(d) Enforce customs duties for host states
2. The term “Blue Helmets” is associated with:
(a) NATO peace monitors
(b) UN peacekeepers identified by light-blue headgear
(c) Red Cross emergency doctors
(d) Interpol border units
3. The light blue colour associated with UN peacekeepers was chosen in:
(a) 1945
(b) 1947
(c) 1956
(d) 1967
4. UN peacekeeping began in 1948 with the establishment of:
(a) UNEF I
(b) UNTSO
(c) UNIFIL
(d) MONUC
5. Which of the following is NOT listed as a peacekeeping function in the passage?
(a) Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR)
(b) Election support
(c) Human rights and rule of law support
(d) Issuing sovereign passports for host states
6. The Brahimi Report is linked with:
(a) Expansion of colonial mandates
(b) Peacekeeping reforms emphasising robust mandates and resources
(c) Creation of WTO dispute settlement
(d) Nuclear non-proliferation verification
7. The passage states India has sent over 2,90,000 peacekeepers to:
(a) Exactly 10 missions
(b) More than 25 missions
(c) More than 50 missions
(d) Only African missions
8. As per the passage, Indian peacekeepers currently serve in:
(a) 3 active missions
(b) 5 active missions
(c) 7 active missions
(d) 9 active missions
9. In the passage, UN peacekeeping is said to operate alongside all EXCEPT:
(a) Conflict prevention
(b) Peacemaking
(c) Peace enforcement
(d) Currency stabilisation
10. The Dag Hammarskjöld Medal is mentioned as being awarded in 2023 for sacrifice in:
(a) Syria
(b) Democratic Republic of Congo
(c) Lebanon
(d) Liberia
11. UN targets under the Uniformed Gender Parity Strategy aim for women in police units to reach:
(a) 10% by 2025
(b) 15% by 2028
(c) 25% by 2028
(d) 33% by 2030
12. UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) is associated with:
(a) Women, Peace and Security agenda
(b) Nuclear testing ban
(c) Global refugee convention
(d) Maritime piracy suppression
13. India deployed the first-ever all-female Formed Police Unit (FPU) to:
(a) Haiti in 2004
(b) Liberia in 2007
(c) South Sudan in 2012
(d) Congo in 2014
14. As per the passage, women made up 7.9% of uniformed personnel in field missions in:
(a) 1993
(b) 2000
(c) 2016
(d) 2022
15. “Military Gender Advocate of the Year 2023” is attributed in the passage to:
(a) Major Radhika Sen
(b) Major Somnath Sharma
(c) Major Shaitan Singh
(d) Major General S.L. Narasimhan
