Indian Army commemorated the 75th International Day of UN Peacekeepers

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India Army Commemorated the 75th International Day of UN Peacekeepers
UN Peacekeeping is a vital tool employed by the United Nations to help countries navigate the path from conflict to peace.
It involves the deployment of military, police, and civilian personnel to regions affected by conflicts or political instability.
The primary objective of UN Peacekeeping is to facilitate peace and security, protect civilians, and support the restoration of stable governance structures.
The first UN peacekeeping mission was established in May 1948, when the UN Security Council authorised the deployment of UN military observers to the Middle East to form the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) to monitor the Armistice Agreement between Israel and its Arab neighbours.

Troop Contribution: India is one of the largest troop-contributing countries, having deployed soldiers, medical personnel, and engineers to various peacekeeping missions worldwide. Approximately 275,000 Indian troops have been contributed so far.
Casualties: Indian Army soldiers have made significant sacrifices, with 179 losing their lives in UN Peacekeeping Missions.
Training and Infrastructure: The Indian Army’s Centre for United Nations Peacekeeping (CUNPK) in New Delhi provides specialised training for over 12,000 troops annually. It serves as a hub for sharing best practices and enhancing peacekeeping capacity.
Women in Peacekeeping: India promotes gender equality by deploying Female Engagement Teams and Women Military Police in missions like the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Abyei. India also deploys women staff officers and military observers in various peacekeeping operations.

On May 29th, the Indian Army observed the 75th International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers at the National War Memorial in New Delhi, in accordance with the UN General Assembly’s designation.
The theme for 2023 was ‘Peace begins with me’. This day is significant as it commemorates the anniversary of the first UN peacekeeping mission in 1948.
Furthermore, India announced its plans to conduct two initiatives later in 2023. These initiatives are specifically designed to provide training for women personnel from South East Asia as part of their collaboration with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the defence sector.

India has announced two initiatives:

Specialised courses at the Centre for United Nations Peacekeeping (CUNPK) in New Delhi, providing targeted training to women peacekeepers from ASEAN countries. The goal is to equip them with the skills and knowledge needed for effective contributions to UN peacekeeping missions.
A Table Top Exercise for women officers from ASEAN, simulating scenarios and challenges encountered in UN peacekeeping. This exercise will enhance their understanding and preparedness for UN peacekeeping operations.