India’s role in UN Peacekeeping and its Changing Dynamics
Associate editor Yusra Khan describes the intricate role of India in UN Peacekeeping forces and the nature and function of modern peacekeeping operations, while also exploring India’s role in future UN missions.
The motive behind the UN’s Peacekeeping Strategy is to assist the countries towards the path of peace and tranquillity, away from conflict and troubles. Under peacekeeping, the UN peacekeepers offer protection, political support, and assistance to help nations make the challenging early transition from conflict to peace. Today’s multi-layered peacekeeping missions are needed to support the organization of elections, protect and advance human rights, help restore the rule of law, protect civilians, and assist in the disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration of former combatants in addition to preserving peace and security. A unique global partnership lies between the members, bringing together the general assembly, security council, and secretariat, along with other troops and forces, in a joint effort to hold up security and peace with each other.
The United Nations Security Council has the authority and duty to act together to uphold global peace and security under the terms of the United Nations Charter. For this reason, the Security Council is typically relied upon by the international community to approve Chapter VII authorizations for peacekeeping operations. The peacekeeping mission has been a very crucial and productive role of the UN in maintaining peace globally. No other alternative to this can be as effective as it has been, and the reliance and trust of the nations on the UN for its role in maintaining peace has been immense.
Since it began participating in UN peacekeeping operations, India has sent more personnel than any other nation. Over 2,53,000 Indians have participated in 49 out of the 71 UN peacekeeping missions deployed globally since 1948. India currently ranks fifth among nations that send troops to UN peacekeeping missions, deploying roughly 5,500 soldiers and police.
India has sent female staff members to UN peacekeeping missions too. India was the first nation to send an entirely female contingent to a UN peacekeeping mission in 2007, to strengthen the capabilities of the Liberian police, the Formed Police Unit throughout Liberia offered round-the-clock security and carried out night patrols in the nation’s capital, Monrovia. These female police officers not only helped Liberia’s security situation return to normal, but they also helped the country’s security sector employ more women. Indian veterinarians assigned to the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) volunteered to assist cattle herders who were losing a large portion of their herd to sickness and starvation in the country’s war-torn landscape. The Indian presence in South Sudan has repaired a substantial number of roads in addition to offering vocational training and life-saving medical aid. In response to an urgent request from the UN Secretariat, India sent two medical teams, each with 15 medical personnel, to Goma (DRC) and Juba in September 2020. (South Sudan). Goma, in the DRC, is home to MONUSCO’s primary command and control center. Since it opened in January 2005, the Hospital by India in Goma has employed 90 Indians, including 18 experts.
According to India, the nature and function of modern peacekeeping operations are rapidly changing, and the international community has to understand these developments. The mandates issued by the Security Council to UN peacekeeping operations must be grounded in the realities of the field and tied to the funding allocated for the operation. Nations that provide troops and police for missions must participate actively in all stages and facets of mission preparation. According to officials, more money and people should be available for peace-building in post-conflict countries where UNPKOs have been assigned. India is particularly relevant in the context of twenty-first-century peacebuilding due to its distinctive mix of being the largest democracy in the world with a strong heritage of respect for the rule of law and a successful experience in nation-building. India is a participant in the Peacebuilding Commission’s organizational committee (PBC).
While advocating for a positive attitude and a “lighter touch” by the PBC in extending advice, support, and expanding its role, India strongly supports nationally-led efforts for peace consolidation. Additionally, India has made donations to the UN Peacebuilding Fund. Many valiant Indian troops have sacrificed their lives to make the world a more peaceful place. 168 Indian troops have already paid the ultimate price while serving beneath the blue banner. More than 160 Indian peacekeepers have paid the ultimate price for peace by losing their lives while serving under the UN flag as of September 2022. To date, India has participated in 49 peacekeeping missions with its total contribution exceeding 200,000 troops, consisting of many police personnel too.
With 7,860 personnel deployed with 10 UN Peacekeeping Missions in 2014, India ranked third in terms of troop contributions (TCC), 995 of whom are police officers, including the first female police unit established by the UN. Indian peacekeepers have recently received praise from the UN for their efforts in halting the slaughter in the South Sudan conflict that claimed the lives of two of its men. In December 2010, India was reappointed for a third two-year term to the Organizational Committee of the Peacebuilding Commission. While advocating for a positive strategy and a “lighter touch” by the Peacebuilding Commission in extending advice, support, and involvement, India supports nationally-led efforts for peace consolidation. Moreover, India has made donations to the UN Peacebuilding Fund too. However, there are various concerns related to the deployment of security forces by India in UN peacekeeping missions.
The Dynamics relating to India’s participation in UN peacekeeping mission is changing due to various experience, especially the recent one where the troops were killed in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is important to note that participation in peacekeeping missions is becoming more and more challenging in the face of growing violence in disturbed areas and due to the absence of any political process. It is important to note here that peacekeeping missions should be given clear and realistic mandates along with the requisite resources. Also, the problem is that the peacekeeping force contributing countries do not have any significant role in the decision-making process.
There should be a proper exchange of information and effective coordination with the host governments to enhance the safety of the troops. There should be means and procedures to facilitate justice against the perpetrators of crime and there should be very strong and smooth coordination between the leadership of the peacekeeping mission with the host country. India is also planning to introduce a new technology called the “unite aware” platform to enhance the safety of peacekeepers and it has been addressed for deployment in Uganda. it is very important looking at the changing dynamics that the peacekeeping missions should factor in an exit strategy from their very inception.
References
1. https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/india
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4. chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.pminewyork.gov.in/pdf/menu/49151pkeeping.pdf
5. https://peacekeeping.un.org/en
6. Choedon, Yeshi. “India and the Current Concerns of UN Peacekeeping: Issues and Prospects.” India Quarterly 63, no. 2 (2007): 150–84. http://www.jstor.org/stable/45073218.
7. https://www.mea.gov.in/Speeches-Statements.htm?dtl/34192
8. https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/military
9. https://betterworldcampaign.org/un-peacekeeping
11. https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/principles-of-peacekeeping
