News Highlight
The United Nations (UN) peacekeeping chief visited India, one of the largest troop-contributing countries.
Key Takeaway
- Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, visited India and other countries. The multi-nation trip starts Thursday and will continue until October 15.
UN Peacekeeping forces
- About:
- The United Nations Peacekeeping Forces are employed to maintain or re-establish peace in an area of armed conflict.
- History:
- UN Peacekeeping began in 1948 when the UN Security Council authorised the deployment of UN military observers to the Middle East.
- It deploys troops and police from around the world, integrating them with civilian peacekeepers to address a range of mandates set by the UN Security Council (UNSC) and the General Assembly.
- Aims and objectives:
- U.N. Peacekeepers provide security and political and peace-building support to conflict-ridden countries.
- Structure:
- A United Nations peacekeeping mission has three power centres:
- The first is the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, the official leader of the task.
- The second is the Force Commander, responsible for deploying military forces.
- The Chief Administrative Officer oversees supplies and logistics and coordinates the procurement of any supplies needed.
- A United Nations peacekeeping mission has three power centres:
- Composition:
- UN peacekeepers (often referred to as Blue Berets or Blue Helmets ) can include soldiers, police officers, and civilian personnel.
- Member states contribute to peacekeeping forces voluntarily.
- Coverage:
- There are approximately 81,000 personnel serving on 13 peace operations led by UNDPO on four continents.
- Responsibilities of U.N. military personnel:
- Protect civilians and other U.N. personnel.
- Monitoring disputed borders.
- Observing peace processes in post-conflict areas.
- Providing security in conflict zones.
- Providing security during elections.
- Assisting in-country military personnel with training and support.
- Assisting ex-combatants in implementing the peace agreements.
- Blue Helmets:
- Blue Helmets are the military personnel of the U.N. that work alongside the U.N. Police and civilian colleagues to promote stability, security, and peace processes.
- The personnel get their name from their iconic blue helmets or berets.
India’s contribution to UN Peacekeeping
- History:
- India’s contribution to UN Peacekeeping began with its participation in the UN operation in Korea in the 1950s.
- Contribution:
- More than 2,53,000 Indians have served in 49 of the 71 UN Peacekeeping missions since 1948.
- Currently, around 5,500 troops and police from India have been deployed to UN Peacekeeping missions, the fifth highest among troop-contributing countries.
- Role of women:
- In 2007, India became the first country to deploy an all-women contingent to a UN Peacekeeping Mission.
- UN Medals of Honour:
- The Indian contingent in the Upper Nile region has all received UN Medals of Honour.
Content Source: The Hindu