Indian Army United Nations peacekeeping missions

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Indian soldiers patrol under UN mission in Congo, Africa
Indian Army doctors attend to a child in Congo
Indian Army T-72 tanks with UN markings as part of Operation Continue Hope
Indian Peacekeeper with a child in Congo (for MONUSCO mission), 2000.
2004 Postal Stamp on the 'Indian Army UN Peacekeeping Operations'

So far India has taken part in 49

Female Formed Police Unit under the UN.[2]
Recently Indian Peacekeepers were lauded by the UN for their efforts in preventing a carnage in the
South Sudan conflict which resulted in the death of two of its soldiers.[3]

India has so far, provided two Military Advisors (Brig.

Lieutenant General served as the United Nations Protection Force commander from March 1992 to March 1993. He also served on the "High-level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change" of the Peacebuilding Commission.[5]

India was reappointed to the Organizational Committee of the Peacebuilding Commission in December 2010, for a third 2-year term.[6] India is supportive of nationally led plans for peace consolidation, while arguing for a constructive approach and a "lighter touch" by the Peacebuilding Commission in extending advice, support and in extending its involvement. India has also been contributing to the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund.[2]

Past missions

The following are the Indian contributions to the

United Nations Peacekeeping Missions
since 1950.

(a) Korea (1950–54):

K S Thimmayya was appointed as the Chairman of the Neutral Nations Repatriation Commission
set up by UN.

(b) Indo-China (1954–70): India provided an Infantry Battalion, 2nd Bn., Guards Regiment, and field teams to support the International Control Commission in Indo-China, comprising three states of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. Tasks included monitoring, ceasefire and repatriation of prisoners of war, among others. A total of 970 officers, 140 JCOs and 6157 other ranks were provided during the period from 1954 to 1970.[2]

(c) Middle East (1956–67): India was part of the United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF), where for the first time armed troop contingents were deployed. India's contribution was an infantry battalion and other support elements. Over a period of 11 years, 393 officers, 409 JCOs and 12383 other ranks took part in the operations.[2]

(d) Congo (1960–64) (

Paramvir Chakra for action in Katanga, Southern Congo.[2]

(e) Cambodia (1992-1993): United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia was set up to supervise ceasefire, disarm combatants, repatriate refugees and monitor conduct of free and fair elections. A total of 1373 peacekeepers from all ranks of the Indian Army participated.[2][8]

(f) Mozambique (1992–94) (

ONUMOZ): Two Engineer companies, HQ company, logistics company, staff officers and military observers were provided. In all 1083 peacekeepers from all ranks participated.[9]

(g) Somalia (1993–94) (

UNOSOM II): The Indian Navy and Indian Army took active part in UN Operations. Indian Army deployed a Brigade Group composed of 5000 personnel from all ranks and the navy deployed four warships.[2][10]

(h) Rwanda (1994–96) (

UNAMIR): An Infantry Battalion group, a signal company, and engineer company, staff officers and Military Observers were provided. Total of 956 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.[11]

(i) Angola (1989-1999) (

UNAVEM III.[12]

(j) Sierra Leone (1999-2001) (

UNAMSIL): Two Infantry Battalion groups, two engineer companies, Quick reaction company, Attack helicopter unit, medical unit and Logistic support in addition to sector HQ and Force Headquarters staff were provided.[13]

(k) Ethiopia-Eritrea (2006–08) (

UNMEE): Indian contribution comprised one infantry battalion group, one construction engineer company and one force reserve company, apart from staffing at various HQs and military observers.[2][14]

Current missions

The Indian Armed Forces are currently undertaking the following UN Missions.

(a) Lebanon (

crises in Syria.[15] UNIFIL's mandate is renewed by United Nations Security Council annually. Current mandate expires on 31 August 2014.[16]

(b) Congo (

FARDC along with the support of MONUSCO were able to destroy the M-23 Rebel Group, however the situation continues to be volatile and uncertain due to the presence of other armed groups.[17] The ex- CDS of India, late Bipin Rawat once commanded a MONUSCO brigade.[18]

(c) Sudan and South Sudan (

UNMISS) (Since April 2005): Two Infantry Battalion groups, sector HQ, Engineer company, signal company, Level-II Hospital and a large number of military observers and staff officers (SOs) have been deployed. The mission has a Deputy Force Commander Brig Asit Mistry (Indian Army) and until recently a Deputy Police Commissioner Mr Sanjay Kundu (Indian Police Service) was also present there. The latest political developments in the Mission led to widespread inter-tribe violence and large displacement of locals. In the ensuing intra state conflict two Indian Peacekeepers lost their lives while ensuring Protection of Civilians.[19] The current situation continues to be highly volatile and sporadic clashes between the tribes are being reported regularly.[20]

(d) Golan Heights (

Syrian conflict has impacted the mission and exchange of fire between the Syrian Forces and the armed groups have put the Peacekeepers in grave danger.[20]

(e) Ivory Coast (

UNOCI) (Since April 2004): The mission has been supported by Indian staff officers (SOs) and military observers since its inception.[21]

(f) Haiti (

MINUSTAH) (Since December 1997): Apart from three Indian Formed Police Unit (FPU) there, i.e. from CISF, CRPF and Assam Rifles, which have been successful,[2] the mission has been supported by Indian Army staff officers since its inception.[22]

(g) Liberia (

UNMIL) (Since April 2007): India has been contributing both male and female Formed Police Units from CRPF and its Specialized unit RAF in Liberia. The Female Formed Police Unit (FPU) has especially become an inspiration for the women of the host nation and have become trendsetters for other such female FPUs across the Globe. Till recently, Mr Gautam Sawang of India was the acting Police Commissioner there.[23][24]

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Peacekeeping missions of India.

References

  1. ^ "India: A long and deep tradition of contributing to UN peacekeeping". UN. UN org.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Sorry for the inconvenience". Archived from the original on 23 August 2020. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  3. ^ "UN praise for Indian peacekeepers in S Sudan - News". Al Jazeera English. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
  4. ^ "Global peacekeeping role: Brave forces march ahead | Arab News — Saudi Arabia News, Middle East News, Opinion, Economy and more". Arabnews.com. 25 January 2014. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
  5. ^ Hindustan Times
  6. ^ "General Assembly of the United Nations".
  7. ^ "Regiments of Indian Army".
  8. ^ "UNITED NATIONS TRANSITIONAL AUTHORITY IN CAMBODIA (UNTAC) - Facts and Figures". www.un.org. Archived from the original on 23 February 2010.
  9. ^ "UNOMIL". www.un.org. Archived from the original on 28 February 2010.
  10. ^ "UNITED NATIONS OPERATION IN SOMALIA I - (UNOSOM I)". www.un.org. Archived from the original on 12 November 1999.
  11. ^ "UNAMIR". Archived from the original on 13 July 2017. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
  12. ^ "Unavem I". www.un.org. Archived from the original on 28 January 2001.
  13. ^ "UNAMSIL: United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone - Facts and Figures". www.un.org. Archived from the original on 7 February 2010.
  14. ^ "UNMEE- United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea - Facts and Figures". www.un.org. Archived from the original on 28 February 2010.
  15. ^ "UNIFIL Strength". Archived from the original on 26 June 2015. Retrieved 23 January 2016.
  16. ^ United Nations Security Council Resolution 2115. S/RES/2115(2013) page 1. 29 August 2013.
  17. ^ "MONUSCO Facts and Figures - United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo". www.un.org. Archived from the original on 31 July 2010.
  18. ^ "Protecting Civilians Through UN Peace Operations".
  19. ^ "BBC News - Indian UN peacekeepers killed in S Sudan attack". BBC. 20 December 2013. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
  20. ^ a b "UNMISS Facts and Figures - United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan". www.un.org. Archived from the original on 24 October 2011.
  21. ^ "UNOCI Facts and Figures - United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire". www.un.org. Archived from the original on 13 February 2010.
  22. ^ "MINUSTAH Facts and Figures - United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti". www.un.org. Archived from the original on 2 January 2010.
  23. ^ "UNMIL Facts and Figures - United Nations Mission in Liberia". www.un.org. Archived from the original on 12 January 2010.
  24. ^ "United Nations in Liberia". Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
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