Indian Army United Nations peacekeeping missions - Revision history

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{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2016}}

{{multiple image |direction=vertical
|width1 = 305|image1 = Les Soldats de la Paix du bataillon indien lors d'une patrouille de domination de terrain à travers la forêt de Pitakongo (15143910694).jpg |caption1= Indian soldiers patrol under [[MONUSCO|UN mission in Congo, Africa]]
|width2 = 305|image2 = The Blue Berets, We Care (15847021980).jpg|caption2= [[Indian Army]] doctors attend to a child in [[Democratic Republic of the Congo|Congo]]
|width3 = 305|image3 = UN forces in Somalia.JPEG|caption3=Indian Army [[T-72]] tanks with UN markings as part of [[Unified Task Force|Operation Continue Hope]]
|width4 = 305|image4 = Patrol of the Indian contingent of MONUSCO near Otobora, Nord-Kivu, July 2013 - PT9A7774.jpg|caption4=Indian Peacekeeper with a child in [[Democratic Republic of the Congo|Congo]] (for [[MONUSCO]] mission), 2000.
|width5 = 305|image5 =Stamp of India - 2004 - Colnect 158538 - Indian Army in UN Peacekeeping Operations.jpeg|caption5=2004 Postal Stamp on the 'Indian Army UN Peacekeeping Operations'}}

So far India has taken part in 49 Peacekeeping missions with a total contribution exceeding {{formatnum:180000}} troops and a significant number of police personnel having been deployed. In 2014 India is the third largest troop contributor country [TCC] with 7,860 personnel deployed with ten UN Peacekeeping Missions of which 995 are police personnel, including the first [[Female Formed Police Unit]] under the UN.<ref name="autogenerated3">https://www.pminewyork.org/pages.php?id=1985</ref>
Recently Indian Peacekeepers were lauded by the UN for their efforts in preventing a carnage in the [[Ethnic violence in South Sudan (2011–present)|South Sudan conflict]] which resulted in the death of two of its soldiers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2013/12/un-praise-indian-peacekeepers-s-sudan-2013122374237681429.html |title=UN praise for Indian peacekeepers in S Sudan - News |publisher=Al Jazeera English |accessdate=9 February 2014}}</ref>

India has so far, provided two Military Advisors (Brig. [[Indar Jit Rikhye|Inderjit Rikhye]] and Lt Gen R K Mehta), two Police Advisers ([[Kiran Bedi|Ms Kiran Bedi]]), one Deputy Military Adviser (Lt Gen [[Abhijit Guha (Indian Army officer)|Abhijit Guha]]), 14 Force Commanders and numerous Police Commissioners in various UN Missions. Indian Army has also contributed lady officers as Military Observers and Staff Officers apart from them forming part of Medical Units being deployed in UN Missions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arabnews.com/news/515426 |title=Global peacekeeping role: Brave forces march ahead | Arab News — Saudi Arabia News, Middle East News, Opinion, Economy and more |publisher=Arabnews.com |accessdate=9 February 2014}}</ref> The first all women contingent in peacekeeping mission, a Formed Police Unit from India, was deployed in 2007 to the UN Operation in Liberia ([[UNMIL]]).<ref name="autogenerated3"/> Lt Gen [[Satish Nambiar]], a former [[Indian Army]] [[Lieutenant General]] served as the [[United Nations Protection Force]] commander from March 1992 to March 1993. He also served on the "'''High-level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change'''" of the [[Peacebuilding Commission]].<ref>http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/lt-gen-satish-nambiar-appointed-to-un-panel-to-study-world-body/article1-9822.aspx</ref>

India was reappointed to the Organizational Committee of the [[Peacebuilding Commission]] in December 2010, for a third 2-year term.<ref>https://www.un.org/en/ga/63/plenary/I_pbc_election.shtml</ref> India is supportive of nationally-led plans for peace consolidation, while arguing for a constructive approach and a "lighter touch" by the Peacebuilding Commission in extending advice, support and in extending its involvement. India has also been contributing to the [[United Nations Peacebuilding Fund]].<ref name="autogenerated3"/>

==Past missions==

The following are the Indian contributions to the [[United Nations Peacekeeping|United Nations Peacekeeping Missions]] since 1950.

'''(a) Korea (1950–54):''' [[Parachute Regiment (India)#60 Parachute Field Ambulance and the Korean War|60th Indian Field Ambulance]], a Parachute-trained Medical Unit composed of 17 officers, 9 JCOs and 300 other ranks was deployed in the [[Korean War]] from November 1950 till July 1954, the longest tenure by any unit under the UN flag. Apart from the unit's primary role, an ADS and a surgical team comprising seven officers and five other ranks participated in [[Operation Tomahawk]], and airborne operation by the [[187th Infantry Regiment (United States)|187 Airborne Regimental Combat Team]] on 21 March 1951. The unit was awarded citations by the chiefs of the [[US 8th Army]] and the [[ROK Army]], a special mention in the [[House of Lords]] in London, commendations by commanders of various formations the unit was part of, individual honours included four US [[Bronze Star]]s, two [[Mahavir Chakra]]s, six [[Vir Chakra]]s and 25 [[Mentioned in dispatches|Mention-in-Despatches]]. The unit was also awarded the President's Trophy on 10 March 1955 by the then President of India, Dr. [[Rajendra Prasad]], the only one to be awarded till date. Towards the end of the war in 1953, India also provided the Custodian Force of India under Major General [[S. P. P. Thorat|S.P.P. Thorat]] comprising 231 officers, 203 JCOs and 5696 other ranks.<ref name="autogenerated3" /><ref>https://archive.org/stream/RegimentsOfIndianArmy/collection_djvu.txt</ref> Lt-Gen. [[Kodendera Subayya Thimayya|K S Thimmayya]] was appointed as the Chairman of the [[Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission|Neutral Nations Repatriation Commission]] set up by UN.

'''(b) Indo-China (1954–70):''' India provided an Infantry Battalion, [[Brigade of the Guards#UN operations and counter-insurgency operations|2nd Bn., Guards Regiment]], and field teams to support the [[International Control Commission]] in Indo-China, comprising three states of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. Tasks included monitoring, ceasefire and repatriation of prisoners of war, among others. A total of 970 officers, 140 JCOs and 6157 other ranks were provided during the period from 1954-1970.<ref name="autogenerated3"/>

'''(c) Middle East (1956–67):''' India was part of the [[United Nations Emergency Force]] (UNEF), where for the first time armed troop contingents were deployed. India's contribution was an infantry battalion and other support elements. Over a period of 11 years, 393 officers, 409 JCOs and 12383 other ranks took part in the operations.<ref name="autogenerated3"/>

'''(d) Congo (1960–64) ([[ONUC]]):''' Two infantry Brigades composed of 467 officers, 401 JCOs and 11354 other ranks participated and conducted operations. A flight of six [[Canberra bomber]] aircraft of the [[Indian Air Force|IAF]] also participated in the operations. 39 personnel of the Indian contingent laid down their lives. Capt [[Gurbachan Singh Salaria|GS Salaria]] was awarded posthumously the [[Paramvir Chakra]] for action in Katanga, Southern Congo.<ref name="autogenerated3"/>

'''(e) Cambodia (1992-1993):''' [[United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia]] was set up to supervise ceasefire, disarm combatants, repatriate refugees and monitor conduct of free and fair elections. A total of 1373 peacekeepers from all ranks of the [[Indian Army]] participated.<ref name="autogenerated3"/><ref>https://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/past/untacfacts.html</ref>

'''(f) Mozambique (1992–94) ([[ONUMOZ]]):''' Two Engineer companies, HQ company, logistics company, staff officers and military observers were provided. In all 1083 peacekeepers from all ranks participated.<ref>https://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/past/onumozF.html</ref>

'''(g) Somalia (1993–94) ([[UNITAF]] & [[UNOSOM II]]):''' The [[Indian Navy]] and [[Indian Army]] took active part in UN Operations. Indian Army deployed a Brigade Group composed of 5000 personnel from all ranks and the navy deployed four warships.<ref name="autogenerated3"/><ref>https://www.un.org/Depts/DPKO/Missions/unosomi.htm</ref>

'''(h) Rwanda (1994–96) ([[UNAMIR]]):''' An Infantry Battalion group, a signal company, and engineer company, staff officers and Military Observers were provided. Total of 956 from all ranks took part. Brigadier [[Shiva Kumar (general)|Shiva Kumar]] of the [[Indian Army]] (Acting) was the third and final Force Commander of UN troops serving in Rwanda from December 1995-March 1996.<ref>https://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/past/unamirF.htm</ref>

'''(i) Angola (1989-1999) ([[UNAVEM I|UNAVEM]]):''' Besides providing a Deputy Force Commander, an Infantry Battalion group and an engineer company comprising a total of 1014 from all ranks. India contributed 10 military observers for [[UNAVEM I]], 25 for [[UNAVEM II]] and 20 military observers, 37 SOs, and 30 senior NCOs for [[UNAVEM III]].<ref>https://www.un.org/Depts/DPKO/Missions/unavem1/UnavemIF.html</ref>

'''(j) Sierra Leone (1999-2001) ([[UNAMSIL]]):''' Two Infantry Battalion groups, two engineer companies, Quick reaction company, Attack helicopter unit, medical unit and Logistic support in addition to sector HQ and Force Headquarters staff were provided.<ref>https://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/past/unamsil/facts.html</ref>

'''(k) Ethiopia-Eritrea (2006–08) ([[UNMEE]]):''' Indian contribution comprised one infantry battalion group, one construction engineer company and one force reserve company, apart from staffing at various HQs and military observers.<ref name="autogenerated3"/><ref>https://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/past/unmee/facts.html</ref>

==Current missions==

The [[Indian Armed Forces]] are currently undertaking the following UN Missions.

'''(a) Lebanon ([[UNIFIL]]) (Since Dec 1998):''' One infantry battalion group, Level II Hospital comprising 650 peacekeepers from all ranks and 23 staff officers till date, have been deployed. The current situation in the Mission is tense and volatile due to the [[Syrian Civil War|crises in Syria]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://unifil.unmissions.org/Default.aspx?tabid%3D11559%26language%3Den-US |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2016-01-23 |url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626104608/http://unifil.unmissions.org/Default.aspx?tabid=11559&language=en-US |archivedate=26 June 2015 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> UNIFIL's mandate is renewed by [[United Nations Security Council]] annually. Current mandate expires on 31 August 2014.<ref name="UN_SRES20642012_page2">{{UN document |docid=S-RES-2115(2013) |type=Resolution |body=Security Council |year=2013 |resolution_number=2115 |page=1|accessdate=31 August 2013|date=29 August 2013}}</ref>

'''(b) Congo ([[MONUSCO]]) (Since January 2005):''' Extended Chapter VII mandate with Augmented Infantry Brigade Group (four infantry battalions with level III Hospital), Army aviation contingent with utility helicopters along with a large number of military observers and SOs have been contributed. In addition, two Formed Police Units (FPU) ex [[Border Security Force|BSF]] and [[Indo-Tibetan Border Police|ITBP]] have also been deployed since 2009. Lt Gen [[Chander Prakash]] of India, was, till recently the Force Commander in [[MONUSCO]]. MONUSCO's new mandate vide Resolution 2098 (2013) has been implemented with an [[United Nations Force Intervention Brigade|Intervention Brigade]] provided by AU, deployed under UN Command. The [[FARDC]] along with the support of [[MONUSCO]] were able to destroy the M-23 Rebel Group, however the situation continues to be volatile and uncertain due to the presence of other armed groups.<ref>https://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/monusco/facts.shtml</ref> The current [[Chief of Defence Staff (India)|CDS of India]], [[Bipin Rawat]] once commanded a MONUSCO brigade.<ref>{{cite web|title=Protecting Civilians Through UN Peace Operations|url=http://www.gppi.net/publications/peace-security/article/protecting-civilians-by-un-peace-operations/}}</ref>

'''(c) Sudan and South Sudan ([[UNMIS]]/[[UNMISS]]) (Since April 2005):''' Two Infantry Battalion groups, sector HQ, Engineer company, signal company, Level-II Hospital and a large number of military observers and staff officers (SOs) have been deployed. The mission has a Deputy Force Commander Brig Asit Mistry ([[Indian Army]]) and until recently a Deputy Police Commissioner Mr Sanjay Kundu ([[Indian Police Service]]) was also present there. The latest political developments in the Mission led to widespread inter-tribe violence and large displacement of locals. In the ensuing intra state conflict two Indian Peacekeepers lost their lives while ensuring Protection of Civilians.<ref name="autogenerated2">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-25456862 |title=BBC News - Indian UN peacekeepers killed in S Sudan attack |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |date=20 December 2013 |accessdate=9 February 2014}}</ref> The current situation continues to be highly volatile and sporadic clashes between the tribes are being reported regularly.<ref name="autogenerated4">https://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/unmiss/facts.shtml</ref>

'''(d) Golan Heights ([[UNDOF]]) (Since February 2006):''' A Logistics battalion with 190 personnel has been deployed to look after the logistics security of [[UNDOF]]. Maj.Gen. I.S. Singha is the Force Commander since July 2012. Current crisis due to [[Syrian Civil War|Syrian conflict]] has impacted the mission and exchange of fire between the Syrian Forces and the armed groups have put the Peacekeepers in grave danger.<ref name="autogenerated4"/>

'''(e) Ivory Coast ([[UNOCI]]) (Since April 2004):''' The mission has been supported by Indian staff officers (SOs) and military observers since its inception.<ref>https://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/unoci/facts.shtml</ref>

'''(f) Haiti ([[MINUSTAH]]) (Since December 1997):''' Apart from three Indian Formed Police Unit (FPU) there, i.e. from [[Central Industrial Security Force|CISF]], [[Central Reserve Police Force|CRPF]] and [[Assam Rifles]], which have been successful,<ref name="autogenerated3"/> the mission has been supported by [[Indian Army]] staff officers since its inception.<ref>https://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/minustah/facts.shtml</ref>

'''(g) Liberia ([[UNMIL]]) (Since April 2007):''' India has been contributing both male and female Formed Police Units from [[Central Reserve Police Force|CRPF]] and its Specialized unit [[Rapid Action Force|RAF]] in Liberia. The Female Formed Police Unit (FPU) has especially become an inspiration for the women of the host nation and have become trendsetters for other such female FPUs across the Globe. Till recently, Mr Gautam Sawang of India was the acting Police Commissioner there.<ref>https://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/unmil/facts.shtml</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://unliberia.org/press.asp?pr_detail=34 |title=Archived copy |access-date=3 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222195428/http://unliberia.org/press.asp?pr_detail=34 |archive-date=22 February 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==See also==
{{commons category|Peacekeeping missions of India}}
* [[Indian Armed Forces]]
* [[Indian Army]]
* [[List of wars involving India#Republic of India (1950–present)|List of wars involving India (1950–present)]]
* [[United Nations peacekeeping]]
* [[India and the United Nations]]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:United Nations peacekeeping]]
[[Category:India and the United Nations]]
[[Category:History of the Indian Army]]