The International Day of United Nations (UN) Peacekeepers is a significant global event that takes place every year on the 29th of May. Its purpose is to honor the vital role of peacekeepers in maintaining global peace and security. The chosen theme for the 2022 observance is ‘People. Peace. Progress. The Power of Partnerships.’
Origins and Functions of UN Peacekeeping
UN Peacekeeping commenced in 1948 with the authorisation of the UN Security Council to dispatch UN military observers to the Middle East. Its core mandate is assisting various countries to transition from periods of conflict into peace. It achieves this by deploying troops and police from around the world, integrating them with civilian peacekeepers. Their mandates are set by the UN Security Council (UNSC) and the General Assembly, ensuring they address a broad range of issues.
Who Are the UN Peacekeepers?
UN peacekeepers, often known as Blue Berets or Blue Helmets due to their distinguishing light blue berets or helmets, encompass soldiers, police officers and civilian personnel. These peacekeeping forces are contributed voluntarily by UN member states. The civilian staff involved in peace operations are international civil servants, employed and deployed by the UN Secretariat.
India’s Major Contributions to UN Peacekeeping
India has an established history of being one of the most significant contributors of troops to UN peacekeeping missions. As of November 2021, the country ranks second in contributing military personnel (1,888) and fifth in sending police officers (139) to the United Nations Organisation Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO).
Since 1948, over 200,000 Indians have participated in 49 of the 71 UN peacekeeping missions instituted across the globe. India also has a long-standing tradition of sending women on UN peacekeeping missions and made history in 2007 by becoming the first country to deploy an all-female contingent to a UN peacekeeping mission.
India’s Controversy with Peacekeeping Missions in Srinagar and Islamabad
Despite its significant presence in numerous countries as part of peacekeeping missions, India has repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction with a similar mission based in Srinagar and Islamabad. Established in January 1949, the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) was tasked with supervising the ceasefire between the two countries.
However, India has consistently argued that this mission has “outlived its relevance” following the signing of the Simla Agreement by India and Pakistan in July 1972, which led to the establishment of the Line of Control (LoC). Therefore, while India continues to support and contribute to global peacekeeping initiatives, it maintains a critical stance towards certain peacekeeping operations, particularly those perceived as infringing its national sovereignty.