Echoing proud history of 70 years, United Nations commends India's "invaluable" contribution in peacekeeping missions

NewsBharati    07-Aug-2018
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New Delhi, August 7: Strengthening the base and backing the international forum with immense support and help, India has undoubtedly been one of the strongest adherents of United Nations. Carrying out a major communications campaign titled 'UN Peacekeeping Service and Sacrifice' during the 70th anniversary year of UN Peacekeeping, United Nations applauded India for its invaluable contribution.

The United Nations has commended India's "invaluable" contribution to its peacekeeping missions, acclaiming the Indian uniformed men and women for their inspirational service to the cause of peace. India’s participation in this remarkable initiative of peacekeeping is perhaps without parallel.

UN peacekeeping history with India dates back to its inception in the 1950s. It was when the Indian Army made its first commitment to a UN assignment, contributing troops as well as medical corps during the Korean War from 1950 to 1954. Since that first mission, India has participated in more than 50 missions and 168 Indian peacekeepers have made the supreme sacrifice while serving.

India has been and remains one of the largest contributors of troops to UN peacekeeping missions, with more than 2, 00,000 personnel deployed in operations since 1950, the most of any country. This is an incredible demonstration of India’s deep commitment not only to maintaining peace and harmony across the world but also of its belief in the UN Charter. India has also provided 15 Force Commanders to various missions, and was the first country to contribute to the Trust Fund on sexual exploitation and abuse, which was set up in 2016.

'India and the UN: Celebrating 70 years of invaluable service to the cause of peace' UN appreciated India’s contribution from protecting civilians, disarming ex-combatants and helping countries transition from conflict to peace, Indian men and women in uniform have served the cause of peace from the earliest years of United Nations peacekeeping and continue to do so in some of the most challenging missions.

The history of the United Nations and India flashes back to the 70 years of deep commitment and its vow to stand together with India continuing to provide eminent force commanders for UN peacekeeping operations. And as the demand for UN peacekeepers has risen steadily, India has responded to the call for service, reaffirming the strength of its relationship with the UN.

As of June 2018, India is the third largest troop contributors in the world, with over 6,000 personnel stationed around the world, helping save lives, protect people and setting the stage for a lasting peace. India's deployment of an all-women contingent to Liberia has also been hailed as being a role model to Liberian women and spurring other countries to boost their own deployment of female peacekeepers.


India has been one of the largest troop contributors to the UN Peacekeeping Force, with 1.8 lakh troops deployed over 43 missions since the inception of the UN Peacekeeping Mission.

The peacekeeping campaign is aimed at expressing the world body's gratitude to UN peacekeepers as well as to the countries that are sending their uniformed men and women to serve in the peacekeeping missions.

The campaign lauds the service of Indian veterinarians serving with the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), who stepped up to help cattle herders who were losing much of their stock to malnutrition and disease in the war-torn nation. Colonel Gaurav Bhatra, who commands the 850-strong Indian battalion in South Sudan, considers such efforts "a normal part of Indian culture."

Currently, there are around 6,700 uniformed peacekeepers from India, the vast majority of them in the Democratic Republic of Congo and in South Sudan. India's longstanding service has not come without cost; as of June this year, over 160 Indian peacekeepers have paid the ultimate price while serving with the United Nations.

UN peacekeeping operates in increasingly complex environments and is grateful for steadfast partners like India, who have risen to new challenges and continue to participate meaningfully in our efforts to protect vulnerable civilians. India, the largest contributor to UN Peacekeeping and which has also suffered the most fatalities. The campaign includes posts on social media about India's role in peacekeeping, YouTube videos and a photo essay.

The campaign highlights a host of activities and initiatives undertaken by Indian peacekeepers while serving in some of the most challenging missions and complex environments, including providing free medical and veterinary treatment for the local community and their livestock, building roads, bridges and airstrips and other outreach events such as teaching Yoga. It is the nature of the Indian Army to step in any time when there is a need when we are on peacekeeping missions.