India and UN peacekeeping share a history that stretches back to the earliest days of the United Nations. Since the 1950s, India has sent soldiers, police officers, military observers, doctors and engineers to conflict zones around the world, and it has long been counted among the largest cumulative troop contributors in the history of UN peacekeeping.
From the Korean peninsula and the Congo to Lebanon, Cambodia and South Sudan, Indian peacekeepers have served under the blue flag in dozens of missions, and many have paid with their lives. The country’s record includes the world’s first all-women formed police unit, deployed in Liberia in 2007, and a continuing diplomatic effort to improve the safety and accountability protections of those who serve.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Standing | Among the largest cumulative troop contributors in UN history |
| First major involvement | Korea, from 1950 (medical unit and, later, the Custodian Force) |
| Missions served | Well over fifty UN missions across Asia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East |
| Personnel sent | Over two lakh cumulatively, as widely cited |
| Notable firsts | First all-women formed police unit, Liberia, 2007 |
| Gallantry | Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria, Param Vir Chakra, Congo, 1961 |
| Training institution | Centre for United Nations Peacekeeping, New Delhi (established 2000) |
| Diplomatic initiative | Leadership on peacekeeper safety and accountability at the UN Security Council |
The Foundations of Peacekeeping and India’s Early Role
UN peacekeeping began in 1948 with unarmed military observers sent to the Middle East and, soon after, to Kashmir, where a UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan was established in 1949. Peacekeeping is not mentioned in the UN Charter, but it developed in practice as a way of helping parties to a conflict maintain ceasefires and create room for diplomacy. The classic principles are consent of the parties, impartiality and non-use of force except in self-defence and defence of the mandate.
India’s Philosophy
India’s participation reflects its long-standing support for multilateralism, non-alignment and the peaceful settlement of disputes. As a newly independent country, it saw the United Nations as a forum where smaller and developing states could have a voice, and it considered participation in peacekeeping a practical way of upholding the Charter. This approach has been supported by both the armed forces and the civilian leadership, and by the national commitment to cooperation with the Global South.
Why India Became a Leading Contributor
Several factors explain why India became such a major contributor: a large, professional and well-trained military, strong experience of operating in diverse terrains, English-language proficiency among its officers, and an institutional tradition of discipline. Its forces are also experienced in counter-insurgency and in working with civil authorities, which are valuable skills in modern multi-dimensional missions.
Korea: The First Major Commitment
India’s first significant involvement came during the Korean War. In 1950, it sent the 60th Parachute Field Ambulance, a medical unit that provided care to UN forces and to civilians in the conflict. The unit won widespread respect for its work under hazardous conditions, and its members received honours for their service.
The Custodian Force of India
After the armistice in 1953, India was chosen to chair the Neutral Nations Repatriation Commission, which oversaw the exchange and choices of prisoners of war. To protect and administer thousands of prisoners who did not wish to return home, India contributed the Custodian Force of India, a brigade-sized group led by Major General S. P. P. Thorat, with General K. S. Thimayya chairing the commission. The force handled a complex and sensitive task with professionalism, and its work remains one of the most important examples of India’s role as an impartial intermediary.
Indochina
India also chaired the International Control Commissions set up in 1954 to supervise ceasefires in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, giving it a long-running role in the region. These duties involved military and civilian personnel and continued for many years.
Missions in Africa and the Middle East in the Early Decades
Through the late 1950s and 1960s, India’s involvement expanded considerably, particularly in Africa and in West Asia.
Suez and Gaza
India contributed troops to the first UN Emergency Force, established after the Suez crisis of 1956, and Indian soldiers served in the Gaza and Sinai region until the force was withdrawn in 1967. It was among the most important of the early peacekeeping missions and set patterns for future operations.
The Congo
The UN Operation in the Congo, which ran from 1960 to 1964, saw one of India’s largest early contributions, including infantry brigades and air force units. It was a difficult, complex mission that involved fighting as well as peace enforcement. During this operation, Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria of the 3/1 Gorkha Rifles led an attack in December 1961 in Elisabethville, in which he lost his life. He was awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest wartime gallantry award, making him the only Indian to receive it for service under the UN flag.
Cyprus and Other Early Missions
India also took part in the UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus and in other missions of the period, providing officers, units and staff. In many missions, Indian generals served in senior leadership roles, including as force commanders.
Major Missions: From Cambodia to Lebanon and South Sudan
As UN peacekeeping grew in scale after the end of the Cold War, India’s contributions kept pace. The following table summarises a selection of notable missions in which Indian personnel have been involved.
| Mission or Region | Period and Nature of Indian Role |
|---|---|
| Korea | Medical unit from 1950; Custodian Force 1953-54 |
| Gaza and Sinai (UNEF) | Infantry contingent from 1956 to 1967 |
| Congo (ONUC) | Brigade and air elements, 1960-64; later missions in the same country (MONUC, MONUSCO) |
| Namibia (UNTAG) | Troops and an Indian Force Commander, 1989-90 |
| Cambodia (UNTAC) | Engineers and staff, 1992-93 |
| Somalia, Angola, Mozambique, Rwanda | Troops, observers and staff in the 1990s |
| Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) | Major contingent and senior leadership around 2000 |
| Lebanon (UNIFIL) | Infantry battalion and staff since the late 1990s |
| Liberia (UNMIL) | Formed police units, including the all-women unit, from 2007 |
| Sudan and South Sudan (UNMIS, UNMISS) | Infantry, engineers, medical staff and military observers |
| Golan Heights and Abyei | Troops and staff in UNDOF and UNISFA |
Cambodia and the End of the Cold War
In Cambodia, the UN Transitional Authority took on the task of running the country’s administration and organising elections in 1993. Indian engineers and other personnel contributed to infrastructure and logistical support, and the mission is remembered as one of the UN’s largest operations of its time.
Lebanon, Sierra Leone and the DRC
In southern Lebanon, Indian troops have served in the UN Interim Force and are known for their role in patrolling, medical outreach and community assistance. In Sierra Leone, they formed a major part of the force in the early 2000s, while in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, they have been among the major contributors in a country that has hosted one of the UN’s largest and longest peacekeeping missions.
South Sudan
In South Sudan, which gained independence in 2011, Indian peacekeepers have provided infantry, engineering, medical and staff support. They have operated in remote regions with hard climate and difficult logistics, and have been involved in protecting civilians and supporting humanitarian work.
The First All-Women Formed Police Unit: Liberia, 2007
One of the most celebrated chapters in India’s peacekeeping story is its deployment of a formed police unit composed entirely of women. In 2007, a contingent of about 125 women police officers, drawn from the Central Reserve Police Force, was sent to Monrovia, the capital of Liberia, under the UN mission there. It was the first all-women formed police unit in UN peacekeeping history.
What the Unit Did
- Guarded key installations and supported the Liberian National Police.
- Performed night patrols and crowd control tasks in the capital.
- Assisted in the protection of vulnerable groups, including women and children.
- Trained and mentored Liberian women police recruits.
Impact and Legacy
The unit is widely credited with encouraging Liberian women to join the national police, and with showing that women can serve in demanding peacekeeping roles. The deployment became a model for later efforts by the UN and member states to raise the proportion of women in peacekeeping, a goal linked to the broader Women, Peace and Security agenda. Indian women peacekeepers have since served in other missions as military observers, staff officers, engagement teams and police.
Sacrifices, Fatalities and Honours
Peacekeeping is dangerous work, and India has suffered among the highest fatalities of any contributing country, a reflection of the number of missions it has served in and the exposure of its personnel. Over the decades, well over a hundred and fifty Indian peacekeepers have died while serving under the UN flag, as a result of hostile action, accidents and illness.
Recognition
The United Nations honours those who die in service through the Dag Hammarskjold Medal, which is awarded posthumously, and several Indian peacekeepers have received it. India itself has awarded gallantry honours for conduct in UN missions, of which the Param Vir Chakra to Captain Salaria is the most prominent. Several Indian officers have been appointed as force commanders, military advisers and police advisers.
Leadership Positions
Indian generals have commanded UN forces in several missions, including in Namibia, Cyprus, the Congo, Sierra Leone and elsewhere. Their appointment indicates the trust placed in Indian officers by the international community.
Training and Institutions: The Centre for UN Peacekeeping
India has developed a strong training infrastructure for peacekeepers. The Centre for United Nations Peacekeeping (CUNPK) in New Delhi was established in 2000 under the United Service Institution of India and conducts courses for Indian and foreign officers, including military observers, staff officers, police officers and civilian peacekeepers.
Courses and Outreach
Courses cover topics such as the protection of civilians, conflict-related sexual violence, international humanitarian law, mine awareness, logistics and cultural sensitivity. Participants from dozens of countries, particularly from Asia and Africa, have attended training in India. Training programmes are often held in cooperation with UN agencies and partner countries, and mobile training teams have gone abroad.
Pre-Deployment Preparation
Indian units usually undergo intensive pre-deployment training, including familiarisation with the mission’s mandate, language and culture, rules of engagement and medical preparation. Such preparation has helped Indian contingents earn a reputation for discipline and courteous behaviour towards local people.
India’s Call for Peacekeeper Safety and Accountability
As a leading contributor, India has repeatedly urged the international community to improve the safety and security of peacekeepers. Peacekeepers today often operate in unstable environments where armed groups are active and there is no peace to keep, and they face attacks, ambushes, improvised explosive devices and, increasingly, disinformation.
Key Positions
- Peacekeeping mandates should be clear, realistic and matched with adequate resources.
- Troop-contributing countries should be consulted closely when mandates are drafted and revised.
- Crimes against peacekeepers should not go unpunished, and host states have a responsibility to investigate and prosecute them.
- Modern technology, medical support and better equipment should be available to peacekeepers in the field.
Security Council Initiatives
India has been closely associated with efforts at the UN Security Council to promote accountability for crimes against peacekeepers, including a resolution adopted in 2021 that encouraged states to hold perpetrators to account. It has also supported the creation of a memorial to honour fallen peacekeepers and has pushed for technology and training initiatives that improve safety.
Challenges and the Changing Nature of Peacekeeping
Peacekeeping has changed from simple ceasefire monitoring to multi-dimensional operations that involve protecting civilians, supporting elections, reforming security forces and promoting human rights. These expanded tasks raise difficulties for contributing countries.
Current Debates
- The gap between large mandates and limited resources.
- Peacekeeping in places where there is no clear peace to preserve.
- Misconduct and the need for strict accountability and discipline.
- Reimbursement and financial pressures on troop-contributing countries.
- Increasing demand for women in peacekeeping and for modern technology.
India’s Perspective
India has argued that troop contributors, who put their personnel at risk, should have a greater say in decisions about missions, and that peacekeeping should be supported by predictable financing. It has also tied its peacekeeping contributions to its broader position on UN reform, including its long-standing aspiration for a permanent seat on an expanded Security Council.
Conclusion
For more than seven decades, India has stood among the most committed supporters of UN peacekeeping. From the medical unit in Korea to the Custodian Force, the brigades in the Congo, the infantry battalions in Lebanon and South Sudan, and the pioneering women police in Liberia, its personnel have carried the blue flag into some of the world’s most difficult places. The sacrifices of those who did not return, and the continuing push for better protection of peacekeepers, form an enduring part of India’s contribution to international peace and security. 2 October 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Is India one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping?
Yes. India is counted among the largest cumulative troop contributors in the history of UN peacekeeping, having served in well over fifty missions since the 1950s. Over two lakh Indian personnel have taken part, as widely cited.
What was India’s first major UN peacekeeping role?
India’s first major role came in Korea, where it sent a field ambulance unit in 1950 and later led the Custodian Force of India in 1953-54 to look after prisoners of war. It also chaired the commission that supervised their repatriation.
Who was the only Indian to receive the Param Vir Chakra for UN service?
Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria of the Gorkha Rifles received the Param Vir Chakra for his gallantry in the Congo in December 1961. He is the only Indian to have been awarded the honour for service under the UN flag.
What was special about India’s peacekeeping unit in Liberia?
In 2007, India deployed the first all-women formed police unit in UN peacekeeping history to Monrovia, Liberia. The unit guarded key sites, patrolled, and inspired many Liberian women to join their national police.
How many Indian peacekeepers have died in service?
Well over a hundred and fifty Indian peacekeepers have died while serving with UN missions, due to hostile action, accidents and illness. The UN honours fallen peacekeepers with the posthumous Dag Hammarskjold Medal.
What is India’s position on the safety of peacekeepers?
India has called for clear and realistic mandates, proper resources, consultation with troop-contributing countries and accountability for crimes against peacekeepers. It has supported Security Council efforts on this issue, including a resolution adopted in 2021.
