NEW DELHI, MARCH 09, 2025: The United Nations (UN) was founded in 1945 to maintain international peace and security. Since its inception, UN peacekeeping has become a valuable tool to help countries navigate the challenging path from conflict to peace. India has been a key contributor to global peace and security, with over 2,90,000 peacekeepers serving in more than 50 UN missions. Currently, over 5,000 Indian peacekeepers are deployed in 9 active missions, working in challenging conditions to promote international peace.
The UN Peacekeepers, known as Blue Helmets, get their name from the light blue of the United Nations flag. In 1947, the UN decided on this colour because blue symbolizes peace, while red is often linked to war. This light blue shade has since become a symbol of the UN.
In 2023, India received the UN’s highest peacekeeping honour, the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal, posthumously awarded to Indian peacekeepers Shishupal Singh and Sanwala Ram Vishnoi and civilian UN worker Shaber Taher Ali for their sacrifice in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
From 24th-25th February 2025, the Centre of United Nations Peacekeeping (CUNPK) hosted the ‘Conference on Women Peacekeepers from the Global South’ at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi. This two-day event brought together women peacekeepers from 35 nations to discuss the evolving role of women in peacekeeping operations and strategies to enhance their participation. The conference underscored India’s commitment to gender equality and its leadership in promoting inclusive and effective peacekeeping operations.
What is UN Peacekeeping
UN Peacekeeping is a key mechanism used by the United Nations to maintain global peace and security. It operates alongside other UN efforts, including conflict prevention, peacemaking, peace enforcement, and peacebuilding.
What It Involves
UN peacekeeping missions are deployed to support ceasefires and peace agreements. However, modern peacekeeping has evolved into a multidimensional effort that goes beyond military presence. It involves:
- Facilitating Political Processes:Supporting negotiations and governance structures.
- Protecting Civilians:Ensuring the safety of vulnerable populations in conflict zones.
- Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR):Assisting former combatants in transitioning to civilian life.
- Election Support: Helping organize and oversee free and fair elections.
- Human Rights and Rule of Law: Promoting justice, accountability, and governance reforms.
Role of Peacekeeping
Peacekeeping today often overlaps with peacemaking and peacebuilding, requiring flexibility in addressing conflicts. While primarily deployed to maintain peace, peacekeepers may also take on active roles in conflict resolution and early recovery efforts. In some cases, they are authorized to use force to protect civilians, enforce mandates, and maintain security where the host state is unable to do so.
History of UN Peacekeeping
UN Peacekeeping began in 1948 with the establishment of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) in the Middle East to monitor ceasefires. Initially, peacekeeping missions were unarmed and focused on observation and mediation. During the Cold War, missions remained limited due to geopolitical tensions, but the end of the Cold War in the 1990s saw a significant expansion in both the number and scope of peacekeeping operations. The UN began deploying multidimensional missions that combined military, political, and humanitarian efforts, addressing civil conflicts, supporting governance, and protecting human rights.
Military observers serving with the UN Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) on Suez Canal in 1967
Over time, peacekeeping evolved to include complex tasks such as nation-building, electoral assistance, and countering violent extremism. Challenges like mission failures in Rwanda and Bosnia prompted reforms, leading to the Brahimi Report (2000), which emphasized robust mandates and better resources. The Responsibility to Protect (R2P) doctrine further shaped interventions, while modern missions increasingly focus on civilian protection, gender inclusion, and regional partnerships. Today, UN Peacekeeping continues to adapt, balancing traditional roles with emerging global security threats.
India’s Contribution to UN Peacekeeping
India has a long and distinguished history of serving in UN peacekeeping, dating back to its participation in the UN operation in Korea in the 1953. India’s commitment to non-violence, enshrined in its philosophy and championed by Mahatma Gandhi, aligns with the UN’s approach to promoting global peace. This commitment stems from India’s ancient principle of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (the whole world is my family), which emphasizes the interconnectedness of humanity and the importance of peaceful coexistence.
India has deployed Staff Officers, Experts on Mission, Military Observers, and Independent Police Officers in key UN peacekeeping missions, including United Nations Operation in Cote d’lvoire (UNOCI), United Nations Association Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), United Nations Peacekeeping Force In Cyprus (FICYP), United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO), United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), and United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA). These deployments reflect India’s unwavering commitment to global peace and stability.
India has been a leader in strengthening UN, host nations, and partner nations through capacity-building efforts. Committed to supporting UN initiatives, India has provided highly adaptable peacekeeping units, advanced training, logistical support, and technological upgrades while promoting gender parity in peacekeeping forces. Beyond deployments, India actively helps host nations by offering training, infrastructure development, and Civil-Military Coordination (CIMIC) programs. Notably, Indian Army Veterinary Detachments have significantly impacted various UN missions, showcasing India’s dedication to humanitarian and peacekeeping efforts worldwide.
To ensure the efficiency and sustainability of Indian contingents in UN missions, the Indian Army has deployed state-of-the-art, indigenously manufactured equipment and vehicles. Built-in India, these advanced systems have proven their resilience in the toughest terrains, harshest climates, and most challenging operational conditions, reinforcing India’s commitment to global peacekeeping.
Women in Peacekeeping
Women play a crucial role in conflict resolution, community engagement, and peacebuilding, often gaining better access to local populations, particularly women and children. Their presence also helps prevent sexual violence, builds trust within communities, and fosters more inclusive and sustainable peace processes. Yet, despite these advantages, their participation in peacekeeping missions remains disproportionately low.
| Despite global efforts, women still make up less than 10% of the UN’s 70,000 uniformed peacekeepers—including military personnel, police officers, and observers. Recognizing the need for greater gender inclusivity, the UN has set ambitious targets under its Uniformed Gender Parity Strategy, aiming for 15% women in military contingents and 25% in police units by 2028. |
The push for greater female representation began in 2000 with UN Security Council Resolution 1325, which formally recognized women’s critical role in conflict prevention, peace negotiations, and post-conflict rebuilding. This was followed by a series of Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Resolutions—including 1820, 1888, 1889, 2122, and 2242—that reinforced the need for women’s leadership in peace efforts and took a strong stance against conflict-related sexual violence.
| In 2022, women made up 7.9% of all uniformed personnel in field missions – up from just 1% in 1993. This included 5.9% in military contingents, 14.4% in police forces, and 43% in justice and corrections roles. Among civilian personnel, 30% were women, with a growing number in leadership positions, achieving gender parity among Heads and Deputy Heads of Missions. |
Indian Women in UN Peacekeeping: Breaking Barriers, Building Peace
India has been a strong advocate for women’s participation in UN peacekeeping, recognizing their vital role in conflict resolution and peacebuilding. From military and police to civilian roles, Indian women peacekeepers are on the front lines, engaging with local communities, protecting vulnerable groups, and fostering dialogue.
Countries of the Global South are the backbone of UN peacekeeping, with India leading the way as the largest troop-contributing nation. India has a proud history of deploying women in both military and police roles. This legacy began in the 1960s, when Indian women medical officers were sent to the Congo, marking the country’s pioneering role in female peacekeeping.
India has been a trailblazer in integrating women into UN peacekeeping operations, setting benchmarks for others to follow. In 2007, India deployed the first-ever all-female Formed Police Unit (FPU) to Liberia, a move that not only enhanced local security but also empowered Liberian women to participate more actively in their nation’s security sectors. This pioneering initiative increased women’s participation in security sectors over the years.
As of February 2025, India continues this legacy with over 150 women peacekeepers serving across six critical missions, including those in the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Lebanon, Golan Heights, Western Sahara, and Abyei. These deployments underscore India’s commitment to gender parity and the vital role women play in global peace and security.
| Major Radhika Sen has been named the “Military Gender Advocate of the Year 2023” by the UN Headquarters, recognizing the significant contributions of Indian women to UN peacekeeping efforts. |
Despite their contributions, Indian women peacekeepers face challenges, from deep-rooted gender biases and security risks to logistical barriers. Overcoming these obstacles requires resilience, strong support systems, and policies that ensure their safety and effectiveness. Yet, their impact is undeniable. By breaking stereotypes and empowering women and girls in conflict zones, Indian women peacekeepers build trust, address gender-based violence, and inspire change. Their presence is not just symbolic—it is transformative, shaping a more inclusive and effective approach to global peacekeeping.
Indian women peacekeepers have become exemplars on the international stage, inspiring others through their dedication and professionalism. Their contributions have not only bolstered the effectiveness of peacekeeping missions but have also paved the way for greater inclusion of women in peace processes worldwide.
Training and Capacity Building
India’s Centre for United Nations Peacekeeping (CUNPK), established by the Indian Army in New Delhi, serves as the nation’s focal point for UN peacekeeping training. Annually, it trains over 12,000 troops, offering a range of programs from contingent training to specialized national and international courses for prospective peacekeepers and trainers. Additionally, CUNPK dispatches Mobile Training Teams to friendly foreign countries to bolster UN peacekeeping training capacities.
Recognized as a Centre of Excellence, CUNPK has evolved into a repository of experience and best practices over the past two decades. It also plays a pivotal role in international cooperation, hosting foreign delegations to share best practices and conduct joint training initiatives. For instance, in 2016, CUNPK launched the inaugural United Nations Peacekeeping Course for African Partners (UNPCAP-01), a three-week program conducted in collaboration with the USA, aimed at enhancing peacekeeping capacities among African nations.
In February 2025, CUNPK hosted the ‘Conference on Women Peacekeepers from the Global South’ at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi. This two-day event brought together women peacekeepers from 35 nations to discuss the evolving role of women in peacekeeping operations and strategies to enhance their participation. The conference underscored India’s commitment to gender equality and its leadership in promoting inclusive and effective peacekeeping operations.
