The United Nations (UN) was founded in 1945 with the primary goal of maintaining international peace and security. Since its inception, UN peacekeeping has become a vital mechanism for helping countries transition from conflict to stability. India has played a crucial role in these efforts, with over 2,90,000 Indian peacekeepers serving in more than 50 UN missions. Today, more than 5,000 Indian troops are deployed across nine active UN peacekeeping missions, working under challenging conditions to uphold global peace.
The Essence of UN Peacekeeping
UN peacekeeping operates as part of the UN’s broader framework of conflict prevention, peace enforcement, and post-conflict peacebuilding. These missions include:
1. Facilitating Political Processes
UN peacekeeping missions play a crucial role in supporting political stability by mediating peace talks between conflicting parties, assisting in the formation of transitional governments, and helping in constitutional reforms. They also promote reconciliation through truth commissions and peace dialogues, ensuring that post-conflict societies have a stable governance framework for long-term peace.
2. Protecting Civilians
One of the primary responsibilities of UN peacekeepers is ensuring the safety of civilians in conflict zones. They achieve this by deploying forces in vulnerable areas to prevent violence, creating safe zones for displaced populations, and providing humanitarian assistance. Additionally, they monitor human rights violations, report abuses, and support local security forces in maintaining law and order to prevent further atrocities.
3. Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR)
UN peacekeeping missions implement DDR programs to help former combatants transition to civilian life. This involves collecting and destroying weapons to prevent further conflict, providing vocational training and employment opportunities, and reintegrating former fighters into communities through social programs. Psychological and social support is also offered to ex-combatants to help them adjust to civilian society and prevent a return to violence.
4. Election Support
To establish democratic governance in post-conflict regions, UN peacekeeping missions assist in organizing and overseeing free and fair elections. They provide logistical and technical support, train local election officials, and monitor elections to ensure transparency and credibility. Furthermore, they play a vital role in preventing electoral violence and political intimidation, thereby fostering a stable democratic environment.
5. Human Rights and Rule of Law
Strengthening human rights and the rule of law is a key function of UN peacekeeping. Missions work to train law enforcement and judicial officials, establish human rights monitoring mechanisms, and assist in drafting and implementing laws that protect fundamental rights. They also ensure accountability for war crimes and human rights violations, contributing to long-term justice and governance reforms in conflict-affected areas.
India’s Historical Contribution to UN Peacekeeping
India’s association with UN peacekeeping began in 1953 with its participation in the Korean War. Since then, Indian peacekeepers have been actively involved in several high-risk operations. Their efforts have spanned multiple continents, reinforcing India’s global image as a responsible and committed peacekeeping nation.
India has consistently supported UN peacekeeping through:
- Deployment of infantry battalions, medical personnel, and engineering units in conflict zones.
- Training and capacity-building initiatives, particularly for peacekeepers from the Global South.
- Active involvement in women’s peacekeeping roles, exemplified by the all-female Indian Formed Police Unit (FPU) in Liberia.
Recognizing Sacrifices and Contributions
In 2023, the UN posthumously awarded the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal to Indian peacekeepers Shishupal Singh and Sanwala Ram Vishnoi, and UN civilian worker Shaber Taher Ali for their sacrifices in the Democratic Republic of Congo. These honors reflect India’s unwavering commitment to peace and security.
India’s Policy Approach to UN Peacekeeping
India has been a vocal advocate for reforms in UN peacekeeping operations, emphasizing:
Enhanced Mandates for Peacekeeping Missions
India has consistently advocated for more robust and dynamic mandates for UN peacekeeping missions, emphasizing the need for peacekeepers to play a proactive role in conflict resolution rather than merely acting as observers. India believes that traditional peacekeeping methods are insufficient in regions plagued by violent extremism, insurgency, and internal strife. Therefore, it supports stronger rules of engagement that empower peacekeepers to respond effectively to threats, ensuring better protection for civilians and the stability of conflict-ridden regions.
Expanding Women’s Role in Peacekeeping
Recognizing the crucial role of women in peacekeeping, India has taken significant steps to promote gender-inclusive participation in global security missions. The Conference on Women Peacekeepers from the Global South, held in February 2025 in New Delhi, reinforced India’s commitment to this cause. India has set a precedent by deploying female personnel in critical conflict zones such as Liberia and South Sudan, demonstrating the positive impact of women’s involvement in peacekeeping operations. Their contributions not only enhance community engagement and trust but also improve the overall effectiveness of missions.
Strengthening South-South Cooperation in Peacekeeping
India has played a leading role in fostering South-South cooperation in peacekeeping by providing extensive training and capacity-building programs for peacekeepers from developing nations. Through the Centre for UN Peacekeeping (CUNPK) in New Delhi, India has trained thousands of peacekeepers, enhancing their operational effectiveness in conflict zones. In 2023, India further strengthened its commitment by offering specialized training programs for ASEAN nations, bolstering regional peacekeeping capabilities and ensuring that peacekeeping forces from the Global South are better equipped to handle evolving security challenges.
Pushing for Permanent Membership in the UN Security Council (UNSC)
As the largest troop-contributing nation to UN peacekeeping, India has strongly advocated for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). India argues that its substantial contributions to global peace and security should be recognized by granting it a more decisive role in UN decision-making processes. Additionally, India has been a vocal proponent of greater financial and logistical support for troop-contributing nations (TCNs), ensuring that countries supplying peacekeeping forces receive adequate resources and recognition for their critical role in maintaining global stability.
Future of India in UN Peacekeeping
With evolving geopolitical dynamics, India is likely to play a more strategic role in shaping the future of UN peacekeeping by:
- Leveraging technology for intelligence gathering and surveillance in missions.
- Advocating for clear exit strategies for peacekeeping missions to ensure long-term stability.
- Strengthening partnerships with regional organizations such as the African Union (AU) and ASEAN for joint peacekeeping efforts.
- Promoting accountability mechanisms to prevent human rights violations in peacekeeping missions.
India’s legacy in UN peacekeeping is a testament to its unwavering commitment to global security and humanitarianism. By pushing for structural reforms, advocating for a larger role in decision-making, and promoting gender inclusivity, India continues to shape the future of peacekeeping in a multipolar world. The country’s proactive policy approach not only enhances global peace efforts but also reinforces its status as a responsible and influential global leader.
