Under the blue helmet: India’s contribution to global peace

The Indian Army, among the world’s largest contributors of troops and observers to the United Nations (UN) for undertaking peacekeeping missions, is hosting United Nations Troop Contributing Countries’ (UNTCC) Chiefs’ Conclave in New Delhi from October 14 to 16, which will bring together senior military leadership from 32 nations that are actively involved in peacekeeping operations.

UNTCC serves as a vital forum to address operational challenges, evolving threats, interoperability, inclusivity in decision-making and the role of technology and training in strengthening UN peacekeeping, as well as share best practices and build shared understanding on future peacekeeping.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean Pierre Lacroix will address the conclave, which will feature plenary sessions, chiefs and heads of delegations putting forth their viewpoints, defence exhibitions, bilateral and cultural exchanges.

Algeria, Armenia, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brazil, Burundi, Cambodia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Fiji, France, Ghana, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mongolia, Morocco, Nepal, Nigeria, Poland, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, Senegal, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, Uruguay and Vietnam are countries attending the meet.

History of peacekeeping

Since its inception in 1945, peacekeeping has become an important element of UN’s charter to help countries navigate the challenging path from conflict to peace. The peacekeeping operations commenced in 1948 with the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation (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.

A key mechanism to maintain global peace and security, 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.

The UN began deploying multidimensional missions that combined military, political and humanitarian efforts, addressing civil conflicts, supporting governance and protecting human rights. These operate alongside other UN efforts, including conflict prevention, peace-making, peace enforcement and peacebuilding.

Contemporary peacekeeping is multi-faceted that involved disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration of former combatants and assisting in their transition to civilian life, facilitating political processes such as supporting negotiations and governance structures, protecting civilians and ensuring the safety of vulnerable populations in conflict zones and helping organise and oversee free and fair elections. Ensuring the rule of law and promoting justice, accountability and governance reforms are other aspects.

At present, there are 11 active UN peacekeeping missions underway. Peacekeeping can overlap with peace-making and peacebuilding, requiring flexibility in approach. While primarily deployed to maintain peace, peacekeepers may take an active role in conflict resolution. In some cases, they are authorised to use force to protect civilians, enforce mandates and maintain security where the host state is unable to do so.

While soldiers deputed to the UN peacekeeping missions wear the service uniforms of their respective countries, they are distinguished by the sky blue colour of their headgear and cravat bearing the UN initials or insignia. Vehicle are painted white emblazoned with the initials in black. The blue colour, which signifies peace, is the same as that of the UN flag.

India’s contribution to UN missions

India has been a key troop contributor to UN missions, with over 2,90,000 peacekeepers, including those from the Indian Air Force along with helicopters, serving in more than 50 UN missions over seven decades.

The Indian peacekeepers’ tryst with the ‘blue helmet’ began in 1950 as part of the UN Operation in Korea, where India provided medical cover to the UN forces and also chaired Neutral Nations Repatriation Commission. India has deployed force commanders, staff officers, experts, military observers and independent police officers in the key UN peacekeeping missions.

According to the Ministry of Defence, 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 way of training, infrastructure development and civil-military coordination programmes. The Indian Army’s veterinary detachments have also significantly contributed to various UN missions.

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. 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, according to MoD.

Indian contingents as well as individuals have received numerous Indian and foreign awards and felicitations for their gallantry and performance in UN missions. Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria from 3/1 Gorkha Rifles was decorated with the Param Vir Chakra, the highest award for gallantry for his action in Congo in 1961.

So far, 180 Indian peacekeepers have made the supreme sacrifice while serving under the UN flag. In 2023, India received the UN’s highest peacekeeping honour, the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal, awarded posthumously to Shishupal Singh and Sanwala Ram Vishnoi and a civilian UN worker Shaber Taher Ali for their sacrifice in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In 2025, this award was conferred posthumously on Brigadier Amitabh Jha and Havildar Sanjay Singh, also in Congo.

Major Radhika Sen of the Army Service Corps was named “Military Gender Advocate of the Year 2023” by the UN Headquarters for her significant contributions to the role of Indian women in UN peacekeeping efforts.

Currently, over 5,000 Indian peacekeepers are deployed in 9 of the 11 active missions in various parts of the world, working in challenging conditions. These are:

• UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) at Golan Heights, where a logistics battalion with 188 personnel is deployed for security
• UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with an infantry battalion group with 762 personnel and 18 officers
• UN Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) in the Middle East with military observers and support staff
• UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) with officers as staff and military observers
• UN Organization Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) with infantry battalions, medical units and support staff
• UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) with an infantry battalion, medical personnel and engineering units
• UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNIFSA) with military observers and staff officers
• UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) with formed police units (FPUs) and military observers
• UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) with military observers

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, UN literature of the subject states. Their presence also helps prevent sexual violence, build trust within communities and foster more inclusive and sustainable peace processes.

Despite these advantages and ongoing global efforts, the participation of women in peacekeeping missions remains disproportionately low. The UN data shows that women still make up less than 10 per cent of the UN’s 70,000 uniformed peacekeepers.

Women account for around six per cent in military contingents, 15 per cent in police forces, and 43 per cent in justice and corrections roles. Among civilian personnel, around 30 per cent are women, though their role in leadership positions is growing. Under its Uniformed Gender Parity Strategy, the UN has set ambitious targets for 15 per cent women in military contingents and 25 per cent in police units by 2028.

Recognising their vital role in conflict resolution and peacebuilding, India has been a strong advocate for women’s participation in UN peacekeeping. 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.

This began as far back as the 1960s, when Indian women medical officers were sent to the Congo, marking the country’s pioneering role in female peacekeeping. Several Indian women officers have served as observers on various UN assignments.

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.

Currently, India has over 150 women peacekeepers serving in six critical missions, including those in the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Lebanon, Golan Heights, Western Sahara, and Abyei, the defence ministry’s data shows.