Indian Army United Nations peacekeeping missions

Indian soldiers patrol under UN mission in Congo, Africa

Indian Army medics attend to a child in Congo

Indian Army T-72 tanks with UN markings as part of Operation Continue Hope

Indian Peacekeeper with a child in Congo (for MONUSCO mission), 2000.

2004 Postal Stamp on the 'Indian Army UN Peacekeeping Operations'

India has taken part in more than 49 Peacekeeping missions with a total contribution exceeding 200,000 troops and a significant number of police personnel. As of September 2022, more than 160 Indian peacekeepers have died while serving under the UN flag.

In 2014, India was the third-largest contributor to United Nations peacekeeping operations, deploying 7,860 personnel across ten missions, including military troops and police units. India has also contributed the first Female Formed Police Unit under the UN.

As of December 31, 2023, India deployed 5,901 military personnel, ranking first among troop-contributing countries, according to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).

India remained the largest overall contributor in 2024, with deployments across 12 UN peacekeeping missions. Indian peacekeeping units have participated in missions such as the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, where two Indian soldiers were killed during operations.

India has so far, provided two Military Advisors (Brig. Inderjit Rikhye and Lt Gen R K Mehta), two Police Advisers (Ms Kiran Bedi), one Deputy Military Adviser (Lt Gen 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. 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). 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.

India was reappointed to the Organizational Committee of the Peacebuilding Commission in December 2010, for a third 2-year term. 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.