India’s Role in UN peacekeeping 

17 Mar India’s Role in UN peacekeeping 

This article covers “Daily Current Affairs” and Topic details India’s Role in UN peacekeeping. 

SYLLABUS MAPPING:

GS-2- International Relation-India Role in UN peace Keeping 

FOR PRELIMS

What are the major challenges faced by women in UN peacekeeping operations?

FOR MAINS

What initiatives has India taken to promote women in peacekeeping?

Why in the news?

India remains a key leader in UN peacekeeping, with over 2,90,000 personnel serving in 50+ missions, including 5,000 currently deployed. In 2023, India received the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal, honouring Shishupal Singh, Sanwala Ram Vishnoi, and Shaber Taher Ali for their sacrifice in Congo. Strengthening its commitment, India hosted the ‘Conference on Women Peacekeepers from the Global South’ (24th-25th Feb 2025) in New Delhi, bringing together 35 nations to enhance women’s role in peacekeeping. Guided by “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”, India continues to champion dialogue, diplomacy, and inclusive security.

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 the 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 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.The nine UN peacekeeping missions where the Indian Armed Forces were involved as of May 29, 2024

Paratroopers from India and the U.S. on the way to Korea in 1953
India is dedicated to helping Global South nations strengthen their peacekeeping capabilities. Through the Centre for UN Peacekeeping, India continues to provide training and capacity-building programs, including specialized courses for women peacekeepers, as carried out for ASEAN nations in 2023. Peacekeeping is at the core of India’s foreign policy driven by dialogue, diplomacy, and global cooperation. This commitment reflects India’s belief in the importance of South-South cooperation and its role as a leader in promoting peace and security in the developing world. Indian peacekeepers have served in diverse and challenging environments, making significant contributions to peace and security in various regions. The following table summarizes some of the key UN peacekeeping missions in which India has been involved.

Women in Peacekeeping: A Catalyst for Lasting Peace

Women play an indispensable role in peacekeeping, contributing to conflict resolution, community engagement, and sustainable peacebuilding. Their presence enhances trust, fosters inclusivity, and strengthens the effectiveness of peace operations, particularly in engaging with local populations, including women and children. Moreover, women peacekeepers help prevent sexual violence, improve civilian protection, and inspire greater gender equality. Despite these advantages, their representation in peacekeeping missions remains disproportionately low.

Progress and Challenges in Women’s Participation
Despite global efforts, women constitute less than 10% of the UN’s 70,000 uniformed peacekeepers—including military personnel, police officers, and observers. Acknowledging this gap, the UN introduced the Uniformed Gender Parity Strategy, aiming to increase female participation to 15% in military contingents and 25% in police units by 2028. The push for greater inclusion began with UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000), which formally recognized women’s essential role in conflict prevention, peace negotiations, and post-conflict rebuilding. This was reinforced by subsequent Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Resolutions 1820, 1888, 1889, 2122, and 2242, which emphasized women’s leadership in peace efforts and addressed conflict-related sexual violence.
In 2022, women comprised 7.9% of uniformed personnel in field missions, a significant rise from just 1% in 1993. This included Peacekeeping personnel distribution varies widely: military (5.9%), police (14.4%), justice/corrections (43%), and civilian (30%, with gender parity in leadership).

Why Women Peacekeepers Matter?

Stronger Peacekeeping: Diverse and inclusive teams lead to more effective peace operations, improving civilian protection and peacebuilding.
Better Access & Trust: Women peacekeepers enhance engagement with local communities, especially women, building trust and expanding outreach.
Diverse Leadership & Decision-Making: Gender-balanced teams bring broader perspectives, strengthening decision-making and ensuring operations reflect the communities they serve.
Role Models for Change: Women peacekeepers inspire future generations, challenging traditional norms and empowering women and girls to advocate for their rights.
Advancing Gender Equality: Upholding equality and non-discrimination is central to UN Peacekeeping, aligning with the core principles of the UN Charter.

What are the Challenges in  UN peacekeeping?

1. Security Risks & Hostile Environments: Peacekeepers often operate in conflict zones where they face direct threats from armed groups and insurgents.
2. Logistical & Resource Constraints: Missions are often underfunded, lacking proper equipment, transportation, and infrastructure to effectively carry out their mandates.
3. Political & Bureaucratic Hurdles: Decision-making within the UN can be slow due to political disagreements among member states, affecting mission efficiency.
4. Gender Bias & Cultural Barriers: Women peacekeepers face additional challenges, including cultural resistance, lack of career advancement opportunities, and security risks.
5. Lack of Representation in Leadership Roles: Despite efforts to promote inclusivity, women remain underrepresented in decision-making positions within peacekeeping operations.
6. Accountability & Ethical Concerns: Cases of misconduct, including sexual exploitation and abuse, have damaged the credibility of peacekeeping forces and demand stricter oversight.
7. Asymmetrical Warfare & Non-State Actors: The rise of non-state armed groups using guerrilla tactics makes traditional peacekeeping models less effective.
8. Host Country Challenges: Lack of cooperation from host governments, political instability, and local resistance can obstruct peacekeeping operations.

Way to make Peacekeeping a real force 

1. Enhanced Training & Capacity Building: Specialized training programs focusing on modern warfare tactics, gender sensitivity, and cultural awareness are essential.
2. Stronger Commitments from Nations: Increased financial and personnel contributions are needed to strengthen peacekeeping missions.
3. Improved Security Measures: Providing advanced protective equipment, intelligence-sharing mechanisms, and rapid response capabilities can enhance peacekeeper safety.
4. Policies Promoting Inclusivity: Expanding leadership roles for women and ensuring gender-sensitive policies can make peacekeeping more effective.
5. Robust Accountability Mechanisms: Strengthening monitoring and disciplinary actions against misconduct to restore credibility and trust in peacekeeping forces.
6. Technology & Innovation: Utilizing drones, surveillance technology, and AI-driven data analysis can improve decision-making and operational effectiveness.

Conclusion

Women’s participation in peacekeeping is crucial for fostering sustainable peace, enhancing trust with local communities, and promoting gender equality. Despite challenges, increasing women’s representation can lead to more effective conflict resolution, inclusive decision-making, and greater mission success. By strengthening training, policies, and leadership opportunities for women, UN peacekeeping can evolve into a truly representative force that upholds global peace and security. Diversity in peacekeeping is not just an ethical imperative—it is a strategic necessity.

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