UN Resident Coordinator’s Speech at the Centre for United Nations Peacekeeping

It is a privilege to address you today as you stand on the threshold of service in United Nations peacekeeping missions. Your presence here reflects India’s enduring commitment to global peace, and it marks a proud moment both for India and for the United Nations.

For more than seven decades, United Nations peacekeeping has made a tangible difference in some of the world’s most fragile political and security environments. Since the first mission in 1948 in the Middle East, peacekeepers have saved lives, reduced violence, and supported countries navigating the difficult transition from war to peace. From Liberia and Namibia to Cambodia, Sierra Leone and Timor Leste, peacekeeping has helped societies move away from conflict and towards stability. 

Nearly 78 years on, it remains one of the UN’s most important instruments for maintaining international peace and security.

At its core, peacekeeping gives life to the founding purpose of the United Nations, to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war. Your deployment is a direct expression of this vision. Peacekeeping links conflict prevention with the longer and more demanding task of building the conditions for lasting peace. 

By serving in these missions, you become custodians of the UN Charter in action.

India’s contribution to peacekeeping is both historic and exceptional. India has been among the largest and most consistent troop contributing countries. More than 275,000 Indian personnel have served under the UN flag. Today, over 5,000 Indian peacekeepers are deployed across missions worldwide, often in some of the most challenging environments. We also remember with deep respect the 179 Indian peacekeepers who made the supreme sacrifice in the pursuit of peace. Their courage and commitment remain an enduring source of inspiration.

You are deploying into a world that is increasingly complex and divided. Geopolitical tensions continue to affect international cooperation, including decision making within the Security Council. 

Today’s peacekeeping environment is far more demanding than in the past. More than 76,000 civilian, military and police personnel serve in 11 peacekeeping missions. They face armed groups, terrorists and criminal networks equipped with modern weapons, alongside emerging threats such as misinformation, disinformation and the weaponisation of digital platforms.

Despite these challenges, peacekeepers continue to persevere with extraordinary dedication. They ensure the safe delivery of humanitarian assistance, deter violence, support political processes and elections, and assist in restoring state authority. In places such as South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, peacekeepers protect hundreds of thousands of civilians. Very often, their presence makes the difference between life and death. The blue helmet remains a symbol of hope and international solidarity because of the professionalism and courage of those who wear it.

Modern peacekeeping is no longer limited to monitoring ceasefires. It rests on the understanding that peace, development and human rights are inseparable. Sustainable peace cannot exist without development, and neither can endure without respect for human rights. This principle lies at the heart of the Secretary General’s New Agenda for Peace, which calls for peacekeeping that is fully equipped for today’s realities and tomorrow’s challenges.

Your missions will increasingly involve protecting civilians, including women and children, supporting justice and rule of law institutions, facilitating humanitarian access, creating space for development, and strengthening respect for human rights. 

You will soon discover that you are not seen simply as soldiers. You are peacebuilders. Communities affected by conflict look to peacekeepers for security, dignity and the hope of returning to normal life. Your conduct on the ground will directly influence how people perceive the United Nations and the values it represents.

I would like to underline the importance of the women, peace and security agenda. Security Council Resolution 1325 and subsequent resolutions recognise that women are not only victims of conflict, but essential agents of peace. Evidence consistently shows that gender diverse peacekeeping contingents enhance mission effectiveness, improve community engagement, and build trust with local populations, particularly women and children.

India has demonstrated global leadership in this area. The deployment of the first all women Formed Police Unit to Liberia in 2007 was a landmark achievement. More recently, India deployed an all women platoon specialising in community outreach to Abyei in 2023. Indian women peacekeepers continue to set powerful examples of inclusive and effective peacekeeping, strengthening protection and community confidence in some of the most difficult environments.

As you prepare to deploy, remember that you represent both your nation and the international community. Your professionalism, integrity, and respect for local cultures will shape every interaction you have. The challenges ahead will be significant, but your contribution is invaluable. You carry forward the finest traditions of India’s military service in the service of humanity.

I wish you safe and successful deployments. India and the United Nations are proud of you. Thank you for your commitment to the noble cause of global peace.