UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix on Monday welcomed the arrival of India’s largest all-women peacekeeping contingent in Abyei, near the Sudan-South Sudan border.
Overview
Lacroix tweeted that the Indian contingent “will be serving for peace” with the UN Interim Security Force in Abyei (UNISFA). Pleased to see India being represented by women, Lacroix noted that more women in UN peacekeeping missions mean “more efficient operations.”
Watch the clip of this historic moment ⤵️
— India at UN, NY (@IndiaUNNewYork) January 15, 2023
- 2/2 pic.twitter.com/Dlexbu30me
UNISFA said the peacekeepers have been deployed to the Rumajak and Dokura sectors in Abyei, and thanked the Indian battalion for playing a “valuable role” in maintaining peace and security in Abyei.
The Contingent
The Indian mission at the UN in New York announced on 6 January that India would deploy “the largest single unit of women peacekeepers in a UN Mission” since deploying the first-ever all women’s contingent to Liberia in 2007.
Proud to see this.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 6, 2023
India has a tradition of active participation in UN peacekeeping missions. The participation by our Nari Shakti is even more gladdening. https://t.co/dcJKLuvldF
The contingent to Abyei will comprise two officers and 25 other ranks, form part of an engagement platoon, and specialise in “community outreach.” They will also perform “extensive security related tasks” in the conflict-prone region, where recent violence has led to humanitarian challenges for women and children.
India’s Contribution to UN Peacekeeping Efforts
According to UN data, India is the second-largest troop contributor to UN peacekeeping missions globally, with almost 5,900 troops deployed. Bangladesh sends the largest number of troops to UN missions.
The Indian mission at the UN notes that India has a “proud history” of peacekeeping dating back to the 1950s, and has contributed over 250,000 troops, the largest number from any country. Indian peacekeepers have also participated in more than 49 missions in conflict zones, including Somalia, Ethiopia, Gaza, the Golan Heights, Congo, and Liberia.
Additionally, 175 Indian peacekeepers have died while serving.