NEW DELHI: The Indian Army commemorated the 75th International Day of UN Peacekeepers on Monday, May 29, by placing a wreath at the National War Memorial in the nation's capital in honour of the dead soldiers, said an official release from the Ministry of Defence. This year marks the 75th Anniversary of the UN Peacekeepers Day.
Gen. Manoj Pande, Vice-Chief of the Army Staff Lieutenant General MV Suchindra Kumar, and officials of the Navy, Air Force, Ministry of External Affairs, and United Nations placed the wreath.
According to a press release, on this date in 1948, the UN Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO) launched its operations in Palestine. Every year on this day, the UN and nations throughout the world respect the memory of those who gave their lives for peace and pay tribute to the professionalism, devotion, and bravery of all men and women who have served in or are serving in UN peacekeeping missions.
"India is one of the largest donors of troops to UN peacekeeping operations and has a long history of doing so. Up to this point, it has sent almost 2,75,000 troops on peacekeeping missions, with about 5,900 of those actively serving in 12 UN Missions. In order to uphold UN mandates, Indian Army forces have operated in hazardous environments and on tough terrain with remarkable professionalism, a humanitarian attitude, bravery, and valour, the statement read.
An official announcement states that 159 Indian Army personnel have offered the ultimate sacrifice to maintain world peace. In addition to the current deployment, India has promised to send one infantry battalion group, a corvette with a helicopter, as hard power, as well as an engineer company and a signal company as force enablers, at the request of the UN.
India has deployed Female Engagement Teams (FETs) in MONUSCO and UNISFA, the second-largest women's contingent after Liberia, in response to the need for female peacekeepers in conflict zones under UN mandate. Additionally, India has sent female staff officers, military observers, and women military police on various missions.
In order to provide specialised training in peacekeeping operations, the Indian Army built the Centre for UN Peacekeeping (CUNPK) in New Delhi. Each year, the Centre trains more than 12,000 soldiers.
"CUNPK engages in a wide range of activities, including national and international training for aspiring peacekeepers and trainers as well as contingent training. In order to exchange best practises, it frequently welcomes foreign delegations. As part of its capacity-building efforts in the area of UN peacekeeping training, the Centre frequently sends Mobile Training Teams to Friendly Foreign Countries. In the past two decades, the institute has developed into a Centre of Excellence and a storehouse of knowledge and best practises, it stated.
The Indian Army has deployed cutting-edge equipment and vehicles to ensure the operational effectiveness and sustainability of Indian contingents in UN missions. As per the formal announcement, these vehicles and equipment are made in India and have successfully endured the whims of challenging terrain, weather, and operational circumstances in the mission regions.
Notaobly, India has led the way in building capacity for the UN, host countries, and partner countries. It has consistently worked to help UN initiatives by offering quick and adaptable units, training for peacekeepers, logistical support, promoting gender equity, and making technology contributions. It stated: "India continues to actively support the development of host nation capacity through training, infrastructure development, and Civil-Military Co-operation (CIMIC) activities."
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