International Day of Peace and India's Role in UN Peacekeeping Missions

24 Sep 2024

This year celebrates the 25^th anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly’s adoption of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace. The theme for 2024 is ‘Cultivating a Culture of Peace’. The UN founded the International Day of Peace in 1981 to promote the principles of peace among all peoples and nations. It is marked on September 21st each year.

In a world that seems so divided today, with ongoing wars between Russia and Ukraine and Israel and Palestine and many civil conflicts within the borders of countries, this day becomes even more crucial and serves as a reminder to have collective responsibility to foster peace, promote harmony, and settle conflicts through dialogue, diplomacy, and understanding.

It also highlights how important it is for people all across the world to work together to address issues like poverty, inequality, conflict, and climate change in order to confront these threats to peace. By designating a day for peace, the world community is prompted to consider the terrible effects of war and the necessity of long-term, viable alternatives. The International Day of Peace serves as a forum for group action by emphasising nonviolence and ceasefires. It also serves as a reminder that true peace is marked by justice, equality, and respect for all people, not merely the absence of conflict.

What is Peacekeeping?

Although ‘peacekeeping’ is not mentioned in explicit terms anywhere in the UN Charter, it is said to be covered under ‘Chapter VI and a half’. This is how the second UN Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld managed to define peacekeeping within the framework of the Charter, since it is located halfway between Chapter VI, which deals with the “Pacific Settlement of Disputes," and Chapter VII, which contains provisions related to “Action with Respect to the Peace, Breaches of the Peace, and Acts of Aggression.”.

Peacekeeping can be understood through three principles that are interrelated as well as mutually reinforcing:

It includes consent of the parties: First and foremost, it is important to know that UN peacekeeping operations are deployed with the consent of the main parties to the conflict. This necessitates the main party’s dedication to a political process. Their consent to participate in a peacekeeping mission gives the UN the political and operational flexibility it needs to fulfil its mandate.
It has to ensure impartiality: For the success of any UN peacekeeping mission, impartiality is a core principle that needs to be followed. Impartiality is crucial to maintaining the consent and cooperation of the main parties, but this should not be confused with neutrality or inactivity. UN peacekeepers should be impartial in their dealings with the parties to the conflict but not neutral in the execution of their mandate.
It includes Non-use of force except in self-defence and defence of the mandate: UN peacekeeping operations do not serve as an enforcement tool. However, they may use force at the tactical level, with the authorization of the Security Council, if acting in self-defence and defending their mandate. It is important to note that robust peacekeeping and peace enforcement (mentioned in Chapter VII of the UN Charter) are different from each other.

India’s Contribution to UN Peacekeeping Missions

India's steadfast dedication to advancing peace and stability worldwide has long been acknowledged, especially in light of its substantial contributions to UN peacekeeping operations. India has continuously promoted nonviolent and peaceful conflict resolution, peaceful coexistence, and international cooperation ever since gaining its freedom. India has demonstrated its commitment to peacekeeping efforts by actively participating in them as one of the major troop contributors. When India sent medical professionals to the Korean War in 1950, it got its start in UN peacekeeping. Since then, more than 250,000 Indian peacekeepers have participated in more than 49 UN missions across the globe, notably in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. In addition to monitoring ceasefires and delivering humanitarian aid to displaced civilians, Indian forces have been instrumental in stabilising war-torn nations.

An important facet of India's peacekeeping endeavours is its dedication to inclusive peacebuilding. Indian police units that serve in missions like Liberia, where they have helped to restore security and trust in local communities, are examples of how the country has led the way in incorporating women into peacekeeping operations. India's history of peacekeeping is a reflection of its fundamental commitment to harmony, collaboration, and dialogue. By supporting international peace missions, India furthers its vision of a world in which states work together to maintain international peace and security and disagreements are settled peacefully. As the globe marks the International Day of Peace, India's commitment to international peacekeeping is the evidence of its resolve and leadership.

Key Milestones and Contributions from India

As of May 2023, India has contributed approximately 275,000 troops to various peacekeeping missions, and almost 5900 personnel are serving in 12 UN missions. This is a testament to India’s continuing legacy of contributing to UN peacekeeping operations and its commitment to peaceful settlement of disputes or conflicts. It is no wonder then that India is one of the largest contributors in terms of troops in UN peacekeeping missions. Indian Army personnel have consistently operated in difficult and challenging environments, demonstrating remarkable professionalism, courage, and a humanitarian approach. Their commitment has often come at great personal cost, with 159 Indian soldiers making the ultimate sacrifice to uphold UN mandates and ensure global peace.

As per a Press Release by PIB dated 29 May 2023, apart from the current deployment, India has pledged one Infantry Battalion Group and Corvette with Helicopter, as hard power and an Engineer Company & Signal Company as Force enablers to be deployed at the behest of the UN.

In addition to this, we have sent Female Engagement Teams called FETs in MONUSCO (United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo) and UNISFA (United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei). In fact, recently Major Radhika Sen from India was awarded the Military Gender Advocacy Award for 2023. We have also deployed Women Military Police in UNDOF (United Nations Disengagement Observer Force), and beyond this, various women staff officers and military observers have been on the ground in various missions.

In order to provide niche training for peacekeeping operations, a Centre for UN Peacekeeping (CUNPK) has been established by the Indian Army, which is based in New Delhi, training no less than 12,000 troops each year for these missions. Frequently, the Center sends out Mobile Training Teams to friendly foreign countries in order to enhance their capabilities in the area of UN peacekeeping training.

Significance of India’s contribution to UN Peacekeeping Missions:

India's participation in UN peacekeeping is essential since we are one of the largest troop contributors and have vast expertise in peacekeeping missions, along with our dedication to the ideals of non-violence, diplomacy, and international cooperation, which have made it an essential asset to international peace efforts.
- India's peacekeeping forces prioritise providing humanitarian relief, reestablishing order in societies devastated by warfare, and promoting trust in areas plagued by violence.
One of the most notable contributions of India has been its participation in the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC/MONUSCO). Indian peacekeepers have been attempting to disarm militant organisations, safeguard people, and pacify the area since 1999.
- Furthermore, Indian peacekeepers have been playing a crucial role in maintaining security, providing civilian protection, and advancing the peace process in South Sudan, where the UN peacekeeping mission continues to operate.
- As a member of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), India has been instrumental in preserving security and peace in the south of Lebanon. Indian military personnel have been engaged in demining, medical assistance, and border patrols along the Blue Line, which separates Israel and Lebanon.

Challenges Faced by the Peacekeepers

A situation of a volatile conflict is fraught with various risks and challenges; each of them is unique depending on the context in which it operates, but one thing that remains common is that these conflict zones are not always easy to navigate through. Conflict zones often present unpredictable threats and are full of uncertain challenges, and although peacekeepers are trained personnel, it is not always possible to be ready, given the highly uncertain contexts in which they operate. These risks can vary from difficult geographical terrains, natural calamities, armed conflicts, insurgencies, guerrilla attacks, or even operational challenges.

In the absence of any stable governments or in cases of power vacuums, the situation on the ground can further exacerbate with no political institution to uphold accountability or establish law and order. And since peacekeeping operates under one of its core principles, which prohibits the use of force except in self-defence or defence of the mandate, peacekeepers, despite being armed, are often restricted in their ability to respond to threats, adding complexity to their operations in high-risk environments. Despite the risks they encounter, these soldiers have frequently gone above and beyond the call of duty to defend civilians and carry out humanitarian missions. Their bravery and unflinching resolve are demonstrated by their devotion to fostering peace in various high-risk conflict zones of today.

Conclusion

With disputes emerging at many levels and taking on different forms, the modern world is beset with many difficulties. The need to establish enduring peace is what makes an International Day of Peace significant. India, guided by the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, sees the world as a single family and acknowledges the vital role of collective action. No wonder we are committed to advancing world peace and harmony, as evidenced by our peacekeeping deployments and various missions, which embody these ideals.

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