India is one of the largest contributors to the United Nations Peace Keeping missions. It has provided 2,00,000 troops in almost 50 UN peacekeeping missions in last seven decades. The country is sending its soldiers in peacekeeping missions since 1950. Currently, India soldiers are serving in 13 missions out of 16. Last month, during his address at the inauguration of Defence Expo 2018 even Prime Minister Narendra Modi appreciated India’s efforts for Indian Defence Forces’ contribution in UN peacekeeping missions.

India has also lost the highest number of its peacekeepers in various UN peacekeeping operations in the last 70 years. A total of 163 military, police and civilian personnel from India has lost their lives in the various UN missions. According to the UN, 3,737 peacekeepers had lost their lives so far. India is currently the third largest contributor of military and police personnel to UN peacekeeping, with 6,693 now deployed in Abyei, Cyprus, Congo, Haiti, Lebanon, the Middle East, South Sudan and Western Sahara.

A total of 96,000 uniformed personnel from 124 countries are part of the UN missions. In addition to this, more than 15,000 international and national civilian staff and nearly 1,600 UN Volunteers are also part of the missions. However, the UN owes India USD 92 million for troops, formed police units and contingent-owned equipment as at April 30, 2018.

The International Day of UN Peacekeepers is celebrated world over on May 29 to honour the fallen peacekeepers and to pay tribute to those who served or are still serving in UN peacekeeping missions. Captain Gurbachan Singh was the only UN peacekeeper to be awarded the highest Gallantry Award Param Veer Chakra (posthumously) by India Captain Salaria was martyred in the Congo crisis on 5 December 1961.

India is also considering to double the number of women peacekeepers in UN missions by 2019. Till now India has provided 11 force commanders, five deputy commanders and three military advisers in the missions. Kiran Bedi, the first woman IPS was one of the two police advisers deployed by India at the UN headquarters.

India’s Major contributions in the UN Peacekeeping Missions:

1)    Korean War: The war was fought between November 1950 and July 1954. 60th Indian Field Ambulance, a parachute-trained medical unit comprising 17 officers, nine junior commissioned officers (JCO) and 300 jawans were deployed in the Korean War. Apart from the unit's primary role, an ADS and a surgical team comprising seven officers and five other ranks participated in Operation Tomahawk, and airborne operation by the 187 Airborne Regimental Combat Team on 21 March 1951. The unit was awarded the President's Trophy on 10 March 1955 by the then president of India Dr Rajendra Prasad.

2)    Indo-China: The conflict took place between 1954 and 1970. An infantry battalion and supporting staff was deployed during the crisis in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. The main task of the battalion was to monitor ceasefire and repatriation of prisoners of war. As many as 970 officers, 140 JCOs, and 6,157 jawans were part of this mission.

3)    Middle East: India was part of the United Nations Emergency Force in the Middle East between 1956-1967. This was for the first time, armed troops were deployed in UN peacekeeping mission by India. In 11 years, 393 officers, 409 JCOs and 12,383 jawans were deployed in the operations.

4)    Congo (UNOC): Two infantry brigades composed of 467 officers, 401 JCOs and 11354 jawans participated in the mission between 1960 and 1964. Six Canberra Bomber aircrafts of the Indian Airforce were also deployed. A total of 39 Indian soldiers laid down their lives in the mission. It is in this mission that Capt GS Salaria was awarded posthumously the Paramvir Chakra for action in Katanga, Southern Congo.

5)    Cambodia (UNTAC): A total of 1373 peacekeepers from all ranks of the Indian Army participated in this mission between 1992 and 1993 to supervise ceasefire, disarm combatants, repatriate refugees and conduct free and fair elections. United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia was set up to accomplish the mission.

6)    Mozambique (ONUMOZ): Two Engineer companies, HQ Company, Logistics Company, staff officers and military observers were provided by the Indian Army for this mission between 1992 and 1994. In all 1083 peacekeepers from all ranks participated.

7)    Somalia (UNITAF & UNOSOM II): The Indian Navy and the Indian Army actively participated in the operation from 1993-1994. 5,000 personnel of the Indian army and four naval warships were deployed in the mission.

8)    Rwanda (UNAMIR): India provided an Infantry Battalion group, a Signal Company, and Engineer Company, staff officers and Military Observers for this mission between 1994 and 1996. A total of 956 personnel from all ranks took part. Brigadier Shiva Kumar of the Indian Army (Acting) was the third and final Force Commander of UN troops serving in Rwanda from December 1995-March 1996.

Currently, Indian Troops are also serving in many UN Peacekeeping operations.

1)    Lebanon (UNIFIL) (Since Dec 1998): One infantry battalion group, Level II Hospital comprising 650 peacekeepers from all ranks and 23 staff officers till date, have been deployed. The current situation in the Mission volatile because of the crisis in Syria.

2)    Ivory Coast  (UNOCI ) (Since April 2004): Two infantry battalion groups, sector HQ, an engineer company, a signal company, Level-II Hospital and a large number of military observers and staff officers have been by India for this mission.

3)    Congo (MONUSCO) (Since January 2005): India has contributed an extended Chapter VII mandate with Augmented Infantry Brigade Group (four infantry battalions with level III Hospital), army aviation contingent with utility helicopters, along with a large number of military observers for this mission. Two Formed Police Units have also been deployed in the mission since 2009.

4)    Sudan (UNMIS) (Since April 2005): Two infantry battalion groups, sector HQ, an Engineer company, signal company, Level-II Hospital and a large number of military observers and staff officers are part of this mission.

5)    Golan Heights (UNDOF) (Since February 2006): A Logistics battalion with 190 personnel have been deployed to look after the logistics security of UNDOF. Maj.Gen. I.S. Singha is the Force Commander since July 2012.

6)    Liberia (NMIL): Both male and female Indian Formed Police Units are deployed in Liberia. Since April 2007.

(With inputs from PTI)

 

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 30, 2018 05:07 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).