India will conduct training for women personnel from the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries in UN Peacekeeping (UNPK) operations later this year.
As a part of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s proposal of an initiative on “Women in UN Peacekeeping operations,” announced at the India-ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Cambodia last November, two initiatives will be conducted.
India's commitment to @UN peacekeeping is unwavering
— India at UN, NY (@IndiaUNNewYork) May 26, 2023
As we commemorated the International Day of UN Peacekeepers #PKDay, we express our deep respect for the fallen heroes & pledge to continue supporting peace efforts.
Press Release 📖: https://t.co/3zsTMG2j9U pic.twitter.com/FrGgUNzbOp
Women in Peacekeeping
Under the ‘India-ASEAN Initiative for women in UNPK operations’, the first initiative will involve conducting courses for women peacekeepers of the member states at the Indian Centre for UN Peacekeeping (UNPK) in September. Two peacekeepers from each country, making a total of 20, will be trained as a part of the plan.
The second part of the initiative will be a “Table Top Exercise” for women officers from ASEAN. It will be conducted in December and will cover facets of UNPK challenges.
India’s largest all-women peacekeeping mission was deployed in Abyei near the Sudan-South Sudan border in January, while it positioned its first all-women contingent in Liberia in 2007.
Today, I received the Dag Hammarksjold Medals for Head Constables Shishupal Singh and Sanwala Ram Vishnoi.
— Ruchira Kamboj (@ruchirakamboj) May 26, 2023
They are immortalized by their selfless sacrifice, devotion to duty and dauntless courage, and will always serve as an inspiration for us.
Jai Hind. #PKDay pic.twitter.com/mT8ofWwUDE
UN Peacekeeping Day
The Indian Army celebrated the 75th International Day of UN Peacekeepers on 29 May in New Delhi. The UN also commemorated the day and paid homage to the peacekeepers who have served in the pursuit of peace.
The day recognises the invaluable contributions of peacekeepers and pays tribute to those who have lost their lives while serving under the United Nations flag. On 29 May 1948, the first UNPK mission began operations in Palestine.
Two Indian peacekeepers, Head Constables Shishupal Singh and Sanwala Ram Vishnoi of the Border Security Force, who lost their lives in the Democratic Republic of Congo, were granted the Dag Hammarskjold medal posthumously during the ceremony at the UN. Shaber Taher Ali, who was employed in a civilian capacity in the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq, was also awarded the medal posthumously.
In his message for the peacekeeping forces, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres said, “We stand in sympathy and solidarity with their families, friends and colleagues, and will forever be inspired by their selfless devotion to the cause of peace.”
India is one of the largest troop and police-contributing countries to UN peacekeeping. It has contributed 275,000 troops to peacekeeping missions, with 5,900 troops currently deployed in 12 UN Missions. 159 Indian Army soldiers have died while serving in the UN Peacekeeping missions.