India’s role in UN Peacekeeping Missions over the years

Published: 4th Aug, 2022

Context

Two BSF personnel, who were part of the UN Peacekeeping Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), were among five people killed during a protest in an eastern town near the border with Uganda.

About

Key-highlights

They were part of United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo or MONUSCO.
A total 175 Indian peacekeepers have so far died while serving with the United Nations.
India has lost more peacekeepers than any other UN Member State.

MONUSCO:

MONUSCO took over from an earlier UN peacekeeping operation – the United Nations Organization Mission in Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) – on 1 July 2010.
The new mission has been authorized to use all necessary means to carry out its mandate relating, among other things, to the protection of civilians, humanitarian personnel and human rights defenders under imminent threat of physical violence and to support the Government of the DRC in its stabilization and peace consolidation efforts.

What is the U.N. Peacekeeping mission?

Basic Guiding Principles guiding UN’s Peacekeeping missions

Consent of the parties
Impartiality
Non-use of force except in self-defence and defence of the mandate

The U.N. Peacekeeping mission is a joint effort between the Department of Peace Operations and the Department of Operational Support.
Aim:To assist host countries to transition from situations of conflict to peace.
The U.N. began its Peacekeeping efforts in 1948 when it deployed military observers to West Asia.
The Peacekeeping mission’s role was to monitor the Armistice Agreement between Israel and its Arab neighbours.
Peacekeepers provide security as well as political and peacebuilding support to conflict-ridden countries.

India’s contribution to UN Peacekeeping Missions

Over 200,000 Indians have served in 49 U.N. Peacekeeping missions since 1948.
Currently, 5,581 Indians are part of various U.N. Peacekeeping missions.
India has been among the largest troop-contributing countries to the U.N. peacekeeping missions.
As of November 2021, India is the second-highest military (1,888) and fifth-highest (139) police-contributing country to the MONUSCO.

Role of women in Indian Peacekeeping

India has been sending women personnel on UN Peacekeeping Missions.
In 2007, India became the first country to deploy an all-women contingent to a UN Peacekeeping Mission.

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India’s role in UN Peacekeeping Missions over the years