Highlights:
India reaffirmed its dedication to United Nations peacekeeping as it joined the international community in honoring peacekeepers who lost their lives while serving in conflict zones around the world.
The Permanent Missions of India and Austria to the United Nations organized a solemn ceremony on Friday (29) to mark the International Day of UN Peacekeepers. The event paid tribute to the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving under the UN flag.
India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni, highlighted the continuing importance of peacekeeping operations in regions facing conflict and instability.
"Blue Helmets continue to be the face of the UN in crisis spots in different parts of the world".
"Salute the UN Peacekeepers whose tireless efforts in the most dangerous settings bring peace and stability around the world. India has an unflinching commitment to UN Peacekeeping and it will continue its efforts towards this noble goal," Parvathaneni said.
Honoring the legacy of peacekeepers
The ceremony recognized the sacrifice of thousands of peacekeepers who have served under the United Nations over the decades.
According to a post by India's mission to the UN on X, the event paid tribute to more than 4,000 brave men and women, both uniformed and civilian personnel, who lost their lives while working to maintain international peace and security.
India has played a major role in UN peacekeeping operations since their inception. Since 1948, the country has deployed nearly 300,000 troops to more than 50 UN peacekeeping missions worldwide.
Indian peacekeepers have served in some of the most difficult and dangerous regions, supporting efforts to maintain peace, protect civilians, and stabilize conflict-affected areas.
The Indian mission noted that about 184 Indian peacekeepers have made the supreme sacrifice in defense of international peace and security.
The International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers is observed annually on May 29. The date marks the establishment of the first UN peacekeeping operation in 1948, when the Security Council created the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation in the Middle East.
The annual observance serves as a reminder of the dedication and sacrifice of peacekeepers serving in missions around the world.
Indian peacekeepers to receive posthumous recognition
The United Nations Headquarters in New York will officially observe the International Day of UN Peacekeepers on June 5.
During the ceremony, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will lay a wreath in memory of peacekeepers who lost their lives while serving the cause of peace.
He will also present the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal posthumously to 68 military, police, and civilian peacekeepers who died in the line of duty. Among them are 59 peacekeepers who lost their lives last year.
Two Indian peacekeepers are among those who will receive the honor.
Lance Havildar Harbhajan Singh, who served with the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), will be recognized for his sacrifice.
Naib Subedar Sujit Kumar Pradhan, who served with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), will also be honored posthumously.
Their recognition reflects the contributions and sacrifices made by Indian personnel serving in some of the world's most challenging peacekeeping environments.
India's long history of participation in UN operations has often placed its soldiers, police officers, and support personnel on the front lines of international peacekeeping efforts.
Recognition for Major Abhilasha Barak and India's continuing role
Secretary-General Guterres presented the 2025 Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award to Major Abhilasha Barak of India.
Barak currently serves with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). During her deployment in Lebanon, she has been recognized for her outreach efforts with women and girls in local communities.
She serves with the Indian Battalion as the Commander of the Female Engagement Team (FET).
Barak is also the first woman combat helicopter pilot of the Indian Army.
Her recognition continues a notable record for India in this category. She will become the third Indian recipient of the prestigious award.
Major Suman Gawani, who served with UNMISS, received the 2019 United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award.
Major Radhika Sen, who served with MONUSCO, received the award in 2023.
India remains one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping missions. It is currently the second-largest contributor of uniformed personnel to UN peacekeeping operations.
The country presently deploys more than 4,200 military and police personnel, including 155 women, across peace operations in Abyei, the Central African Republic, Cyprus, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lebanon, the Middle East, Somalia, South Sudan, and Western Sahara.
India's contribution to peacekeeping extends beyond numbers. More than 180 Indian peacekeepers have made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty, the highest number among troop-contributing countries.
As the United Nations honors those who served and sacrificed, India's role remains closely tied to the history and continuing mission of UN peacekeeping efforts across the world.
