Indian peacekeepers play vital role in global security, says top UN official

India’s peacekeepers play a vital role in maintaining international peace and security, the top United Nations official in India said, as officers prepared for deployment to UN peacekeeping missions abroad.

Speaking at the UN Pre Deployment Course at the Centre for United Nations Peacekeeping in New Delhi, Stefan Priesner, United Nations Resident Coordinator in India, highlighted India’s long standing and exceptional contribution to UN peacekeeping operations.

“For more than seven decades, UN peacekeeping has helped save lives, reduce violence, and support countries emerging from conflict,” Mr Priesner said.

India has been among the largest and most consistent troop contributing countries to UN peacekeeping, with more than 275,000 Indian personnel having served under the UN flag since 1948.

Mr Priesner paid tribute to Indian peacekeepers who lost their lives in the pursuit of peace, describing their service as an enduring source of inspiration for the United Nations.

He said contemporary peacekeeping operations face increasingly complex challenges, including armed groups, criminal networks, geopolitical divisions, and the growing impact of misinformation and disinformation.

Despite these challenges, UN peacekeepers continue to protect civilians, facilitate humanitarian assistance, support political processes, and help restore state authority in conflict affected countries, he said.

Mr Priesner stressed that modern peacekeeping extends beyond monitoring ceasefires and rests on the understanding that peace, development, and human rights are inseparable.

He also highlighted the importance of women’s participation in peacekeeping, noting that gender diverse contingents strengthen mission effectiveness and community trust.

The event was attended by senior Indian military leadership, including Lieutenant General Vipul Singhal and Lieutenant General M P Singh, and brought together 35 Indian officers preparing for deployment to UN peacekeeping missions.

 

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