Lok Sabha Question No. 929 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-25
Subject: Role of India in UN Peacekeeping Mission
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Dr. Bhola Singh, Shri Praveen Patel, Smt. Himadri Singh, Shri Shankar Lalwani, Shri Jugal Kishore, Dr. Hemang Joshi, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, Shri P P Chaudhary

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 929

## ANSWERED ON - 25/07/2025

ROLE OF INDIA IN UN PEACEKEEPING MISSION

929.  DR. BHOLA SINGH

SHRI PRAVEEN PATEL

SMT. HIMADRI SINGH

SHRI P P CHAUDHARY

SHRI SHANKAR LALWANI

SHRI JUGAL KISHORE

DR. HEMANG JOSHI

SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)   the   role   and   contributions   of   the   India   for   United   Nations Peacekeeping in training peacekeepers;

(b) the   measures   being   taken   to   meet   the   UN's   Gender   Parity Strategy targets by 2028;

- (c) the steps being taken to promote the participation of Indian women in UN Peacekeeping missions; and
- (d) the   objectives   and   outcomes   of   the   Conference   on   Women Peacekeepers from the Global South held in February 2025?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a) India's Center for UN Peacekeeping (CUNPK) is a UN-certified training   institute   established   in   2000   in   New   Delhi.   It   provides integrated training to military contingents, military observers, and staff   officers   nominated   for   being   deployed   to   UN   peacekeeping missions from India and from friendly foreign countries.

Since its establishment, CUNPK has imparted training and capacity building   to   nearly   10000   Indian   peacekeepers   and   2000   foreign peacekeepers from 96 countries. It regularly conducts pre-deployment training   courses,   peacekeeping   contingent   commander   courses, military observers courses etc. CUNPK is also a repository of India's extensive experience in peacekeeping.

(b & c) The UN Gender Parity Strategy stipulates the following that by 2028, 15% of military personnel in troop contingents and 25% of staff   officers/observers   need   to   be   women.   Currently,   India   has achieved 22% in the deployment of staff officers/observers.

India is a pioneer in deploying women peacekeepers to UN Missions. In the 1960s, women peacekeepers belonging to the Armed Forces Medical Services were deployed in the peace operations in Congo. In 2007, India became the first UN Member State to deploy an all-women Formed Police Unit (FPU) to Liberia. The FPU was deployed from 2007 2016. Their professionalism and conduct was commended by the host government and community.

Currently, 154 Indian women peacekeepers are deployed in 6 UN Peacekeeping Missions.

CUNPK regularly   conducts   tailor-made   courses   and   capsules   for women peacekeepers to encourage greater participation of  women in peacekeeping operations.

(d) India organized the Conference for Women Peacekeepers from the Global South, bringing together women peacekeepers from 35 countries of the Global South on 24 - 25 February 2025 in New Delhi.

The aim of the Conference was to enhance the role of women in UN peacekeeping   by   fostering   dialogue,   sharing   experiences   and improving collaboration among the countries from the Global South. The Conference broached upon issues of contemporary relevance to peacekeeping   and   the   various   challenges   being   faced   by peacekeeping missions.  Some of the themes discussed during the conference were on enhancing the role of women in peacekeeping, training and capacity building for peacekeepers, addressing sexual exploitation and abuse, regional cooperation in peacekeeping and how to enhance the use of technology in peacekeeping.

The Conference reinforced India as a leading stakeholder in UN peacekeeping. It reaffirmed India's role in promoting inclusive and effective peacekeeping operations, underscoring our commitment to gender equality and the vital role women play in global security and peace efforts. It further underscored India's commitment to work closely in UN peacekeeping with the Global South.

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