GS Paper 2
Syllabus: International Relations – Organisations
Source: TH
Context: India has played a significant role in the United Nations peacekeeping missions over the past 75 years. This is in continuation of the FFP article published two days ago.
The UN Peacekeeping, guided by the Department of Peace Operations, aims to assist conflict-torn countries in their journey towards sustained peace. Indian personnel have made substantial contributions to these missions, currently ranking third in terms of the number of peacekeepers deployed.
Indian peacekeepers have served in various UN missions worldwide, with a current deployment of 6,097 personnel. However, India has also experienced the highest number of fatalities due to malicious acts during these missions. Out of the 71 peacekeeping operations conducted so far, three missions stand out with significant Indian troop casualties.
| Mission | Years | Example of India’s Contribution |
| United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF) | 1956-1967 | Indian peacekeepers were deployed to supervise the ceasefire between Egypt and Israel. Indian troops suffered casualties, with 13 fatalities due to malicious acts. |
| United Nations Operation in the Congo (ONUC) | 1960-1964 | India provided peacekeeping troops to restore and maintain political independence, territorial integrity, and law and order in the Congo. Indian peacekeepers faced casualties, with 24 fatalities, including malicious acts. |
| United Nations Operation in Somalia (UNOSOM) | 1992-1995 | Indian peacekeepers were part of the mission to secure a stable environment for aid delivery and assist in reconstruction. India lost 15 soldiers, including 12 due to malicious acts. |
| Other Missions | Various years | India has contributed personnel to numerous other UN peacekeeping missions worldwide, including those in Cyprus, Lebanon, South Sudan, and Haiti, among others. Indian peacekeepers have played critical roles in maintaining peace and stability in these regions. |
About UN Peacekeeping Forces: Click Here
Is UN Peacekeeping losing its appeal?
UN Peacekeeping is losing its appeal due to several factors. The collapse of the Soviet Union ended the need for an impartial army to mediate between the United States and the Soviet Union. Modern conflicts are too messy and chaotic for traditional peacekeeping methods to be effective. The factions that once allowed for easy ceasefires no longer exist. There is also a lack of public support in Western nations for costly and risky peacekeeping missions. This lack of support is leading to reduced involvement and mission endings, as seen in France’s counterterrorism mission in Mali.
Way forward and Conclusion:
Proposed reforms for the future of UN peacekeeping include implementing the recommendations from the Brahimi Report, which aim to address flaws and improve the efficiency of peacekeeping missions. These reforms involve harmonizing the conditions of service for field and headquarters staff and developing guidelines and standard operating procedures. Additionally, there is a need for a rapid reaction force administered by the UN and deployed by the Security Council to ensure quick deployment in the event of genocide. India has been advocating for more administrative control of UN forces for the countries contributing most to it.
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Write a note on UN Peacekeeping and its significance. (10M)
