India to train ASEAN women in United Nations Peacekeeping operations

In order to strengthen defence cooperation between India and ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations), India would launch an initiative on "women in United Nations Peacekeeping (UNPK) operations."

• On the occasion of the 75th United Nations Peacekeepers Day, India, one of the top troop contributors to UNPK, currently has roughly 5,900 troops deployed in 12 U.N. Missions.
  • On this day in 1948, the first United Nations peacekeeping mission, the "UN Truce Supervision Organisation," commenced operations in Palestine.
• One of the efforts under the 'India-ASEAN Initiative for Women in UNPK Operations is the conduct of tailor-made training at the Centre for United Nations Peacekeeping (CUNPK) in India for women peacekeepers from ASEAN member states.
• In total, 20 peacekeepers would be trained, two from each country. The other is a 'Table Top Exercise' for ASEAN women officers combining aspects of UNPK issues, which will be held in December.

India and UN Peacekeeping Missions: 

• India has contributed approximately 2,75,000 troops to peacekeeping missions so far and 159 Indian Army soldiers have lost their lives across the globe.
• The day was commemorated by paying homage to the fallen soldiers by laying a wreath at National War Memorial.
• Indian Armed forces Deployment: Apart from the current deployment, India has pledged one Infantry Battalion Group and a Navy Corvette with Helicopter, as hard power and an Engineer Company and Signal Company as Force enablers, to be deployed at the behest of the U.N.
• Joint Training: In 2016, India and the U.S. had begun an annual training programme for joint training of U.N. peacekeepers from African countries. Three iterations of the joint training were held before it was interrupted due to COVID-19 and a revamped programme was launched in 2021 of which two iterations have been held so far.
• Training for peacekeeping operations: Indian Army has established a Centre for United Nations Peacekeeping (CUNPK) in New Delhi to impart training in peacekeeping operations and the Centre trains more than 12,000 troops every year.
• The centre also hosts foreign delegations as part of sharing best practices and also regularly dispatches mobile training teams to Friendly Foreign Countries as part of capacity building in the field of UNPK.

Deployment of Women Military officials: 

• India has deployed Female Engagement Teams in United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei, which is the second largest women contingent after Liberia.
• India has also deployed Women Military Police in United Nations Disengagement Observer Force and women staff officers and military observers in various missions.