Indian Army Pays Homage on 76th International Day of UN Peacekeepers

This day marks the inception of the first UN Peacekeeping Mission, the “UN Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO),” in Palestine in 1948.

The Indian Army commemorated the 76th International Day of United Nations (UN) Peacekeepers today by laying a wreath at the National War Memorial, New Delhi. Lieutenant General Rakesh Kapoor, Deputy Chief of the Army Staff (Information Systems & Coordination), along with officials from the United Nations Organization and staff from the Ministries of Defence and External Affairs, paid homage to the fallen comrades.

This day marks the inception of the first UN Peacekeeping Mission, the "UN Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO)," in Palestine in 1948. Each year, the UN and countries worldwide honor the professionalism, dedication, and bravery of men and women who have served or are serving in UN Peacekeeping Missions. It's also a day to remember the sacrifices of those who have laid down their lives for peace.

India has a distinguished history of contributing to UN Peacekeeping operations, being one of the largest troop contributors. Approximately 2,87,000 Indian troops have served in peacekeeping missions, displaying exemplary courage and valor under challenging conditions. Notably, 160 Indian Army soldiers have made the supreme sacrifice for global peace. Presently, Indian Armed Forces are deployed across nine countries in peacekeeping missions.

India has actively supported UN initiatives by providing training, logistic support, and enhancing gender parity. Efforts like those of Lieutenant Colonel Gurpreet Singh Bali, Commander of the Veterinary Detachment in Sudan, to improve livestock health in Abyei were lauded by the UN Headquarters.

The Indian Army's Center for UN Peacekeeping (CUNPK) in New Delhi provides specialized training in peacekeeping operations, training over 12,000 troops annually. It dispatches Mobile Training Teams to foreign countries for capacity building and hosts foreign delegations to share best practices.

In line with the UN's gender parity drive, India has deployed Female Engagement Teams (FETs) in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Abyei, demonstrating its commitment to women's participation in peacekeeping initiatives. Major Radhika Sen's selection as the "Military Gender Advocate of the Year 2023" by the UN Headquarters underscores India's positive contribution in this regard.

India reaffirmed its commitment to future peacekeeping initiatives during the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial in Accra, Ghana, pledging an Infantry Battalion Group and various training courses for the next two years.