The United Nations (UN) was founded in 1945 with the primary goal of maintaining international peace and security. Since its inception, UN peacekeeping has become a valuable tool to help countries navigate the challenging path from conflict to peace. India has been a key contributor to global peace and security, with over 2,90,000 peacekeepers serving in more than 50 UN missions. Currently, over 5,000 Indian peacekeepers are deployed in 9 active missions, working in challenging conditions to promote international peace.
The UN Peacekeepers, known as Blue Helmets, get their name from the light blue of the United Nations flag. In 1947, the UN decided on this colour because blue symbolizes peace, while red is often linked to war. This light blue shade has since become a symbol of the UN.
In 2023, India received the UN’s highest peacekeeping honour, the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal, posthumously awarded to Indian peacekeepers Shishupal Singh and Sanwala Ram Vishnoi and civilian UN worker Shaber Taher Ali for their sacrifice in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
From 24th-25th February 2025, the Centre of United Nations Peacekeeping (CUNPK) hosted the ‘Conference on Women Peacekeepers from the Global South’ at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi. This two-day event brought together women peacekeepers from 35 nations to discuss the evolving role of women in peacekeeping operations and strategies to enhance their participation. The conference underscored India’s commitment to gender equality and its leadership in promoting inclusive and effective peacekeeping operations.
What is UN Peacekeeping
UN Peacekeeping is a key mechanism used by the United Nations to maintain global peace and security. It operates alongside other UN efforts, including conflict prevention, peacemaking, peace enforcement, and peacebuilding.
What It Involves
UN peacekeeping missions are deployed to support ceasefires and peace agreements. However, modern peacekeeping has evolved into a multidimensional effort that goes beyond military presence. It involves:
Facilitating Political Processes: Supporting negotiations and governance structures.
Protecting Civilians: Ensuring the safety of vulnerable populations in conflict zones.
Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR): Assisting former combatants in transitioning to civilian life.
Election Support: Helping organize and oversee free and fair elections.
Human Rights and Rule of Law: Promoting justice, accountability, and governance reforms.
Role of Peacekeeping
Peacekeeping today often overlaps with peacemaking and peacebuilding, requiring flexibility in addressing conflicts. While primarily deployed to maintain peace, peacekeepers may also take on active roles in conflict resolution and early recovery efforts. In some cases, they are authorized to use force to protect civilians, enforce mandates, and maintain security where the host state is unable to do so.
History of UN Peacekeeping
UN Peacekeeping began in 1948 with the establishment of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) in the Middle East to monitor ceasefires. Initially, peacekeeping missions were unarmed and focused on observation and mediation. During the Cold War, missions remained limited due to geopolitical tensions, but the end of the Cold War in the 1990s saw a significant expansion in both the number and scope of peacekeeping operations. The UN began deploying multidimensional missions that combined military, political, and humanitarian efforts, addressing civil conflicts, supporting governance, and protecting human rights.
Military observers serving with the UN Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) on Suez Canal in 1967
Over time, peacekeeping evolved to include complex tasks such as nation-building, electoral assistance, and countering violent extremism. Challenges like mission failures in Rwanda and Bosnia prompted reforms, leading to the Brahimi Report (2000), which emphasized robust mandates and better resources. The Responsibility to Protect (R2P) doctrine further shaped interventions, while modern missions increasingly focus on civilian protection, gender inclusion, and regional partnerships. Today, UN Peacekeeping continues to adapt, balancing traditional roles with emerging global security threats.
India’s Contribution to UN Peacekeeping
India has a long and distinguished history of serving in UN peacekeeping, dating back to its participation in the UN operation in Korea in the 1953. India’s commitment to non-violence, enshrined in its philosophy and championed by Mahatma Gandhi, aligns with the UN’s approach to promoting global peace. This commitment stems from India’s ancient principle of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (the whole world is my family), which emphasizes the interconnectedness of humanity and the importance of peaceful coexistence.
