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Introduction:
For long India has been one of the top troop contributors for various UN missions with nearly 5,500 Indian soldiers serving in eight of the 13 UN Missions at present. Since the UN’s first mission more than 2,50,000 Indian troops have served in UN’s 52 missions. 175 Indian peacekeepers have paid the ultimate price in service to peace, losing their lives serving under the UN flag.
India and the UN Peacekeeping:
- India has consistently been among the top troop contributing nations to the UN and is the fifth largest with 5,424 personnel in eight countries.
- India’s contribution to the regular budget is 0.83% and 0.16% of the peacekeeping budget.
- India has so far participated in 51 of the 71 missions and contributed over 2 lakh personnel.
- It has troop deployment in Lebanon, Golan Heights, Congo and South Sudan in addition to staff officers in other missions.
- India has also set up two field hospitals in South Sudan and one in Congo.
- Since 2018, India has co-opted a contingent from Kazakhstan at the mission in Lebanon.
- The Republic of India is considered as one of the possible emerging superpowers of the world. Its role in UN peacekeeping missions will certainly help India to achieve its aim of becoming a global super power.
- It will help India to win a seat in the UN security counsel ,which is key factor for India to became a super power
- Experience in multinational forces and campaigns .Knowledge of skills or tactics gained from peacekeepers from other countries will help Indian forces to increase their skills and can become the best among all
- India’s contribution in UN Peacekeeping forces helps to gain political influence and build a good image with the people of the world
- This would help India in other political/economic negotiations/treaties especially where the will of the public would play a great role.
The US and UN Peacekeeping:
- The U.S. on the other hand has never contributed ground troops but contributes 27% of the U.N. peacekeeping budget.
- In 2016, India and the U.S. began a joint annual initiative “UN Peacekeeping Course for African Partners” to build and enhance the capacity of African troop and police-contributing countries to participate in the U.N. and regional peacekeeping operations.
- While this is going on, the U.S. is keen on a similar initiative for South East Asian nations like Vietnam and others.
China and the UN Peacekeeping:
- It currently has over 2,500 troops in various UN missions and has committed another 8,000 troops as standby. Once implemented, it will make China the largest provider of troops to the UNPK.
- China contributes 12% of the UN regular general budget and 15% of the peacekeeping budget.
What is peacekeeping? It’s significance?
- United Nations Peacekeeping is a joint effort between the Department of Peace Operations and the Department of Operational Support.
- Every peacekeeping mission is authorized by the Security Council.
- The financial resources of UN Peacekeeping operations are the collective responsibility of UN Member States.
- According to the UN Charter, every Member State is legally obligated to pay their respective share for peacekeeping.
- UN Peacekeeping is guided by three basic principles:
- Consent of the parties.
- Non-use of force except in self-defence and defence of the mandate.
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