UN Peacekeeping 2025: President Murmu Hails India’s Powerful Global Role

UN Peacekeeping 2025: President Murmu Hails India’s Powerful Global Role in peacekeeping missions. President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday praised the dedication and compassion of Indian peacekeepers serving under the United Nations flag, saying they have not only “carved a special place for themselves” but also “earned goodwill among the people they serve in strife-torn areas.”

Addressing the Army Chiefs’ Conclave for United Nations Troop Contributing Countries at Rashtrapati Bhavan, President Murmu reaffirmed India’s steadfast commitment to global peace, multilateralism, and the principles of the UN Charter. “India is proud to be a steadfast contributor to the United Nations peacekeeping since its inception,” Murmu said. “Our peacekeepers have served with distinction in some of the most challenging operations across the globe.”

UN Peacekeeping 2025: President Murmu Hails India’s Powerful Global Role

A Landmark Gathering for Global Peace

The three-day conclave, which began on October 14, 2025, at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi, brought together army chiefs and vice-chiefs from several UN troop-contributing countries, along with their spouses.

The event marks a significant moment in international peacekeeping deliberations, aimed at enhancing coordination, safety, and inclusion in global peace operations.

President Murmu described the visiting delegates as “proud representatives of the best values and ethos of their nations,” commending their shared commitment to sustainable peace and prosperity.

“You bring together a wealth of experience, expertise, and resolve of your nations toward sustainable peace,” she said. “This conclave is a testament to our shared belief that peacekeeping is not merely an obligation — it is a moral calling.”

India’s Enduring Commitment to UN Peacekeeping

Since the inception of United Nations peacekeeping missions, India has consistently been among the largest and most trusted contributors.

According to the President, Indian peacekeepers have participated in 71 different UN missions across continents, often serving in conflict zones marked by instability, poverty, and humanitarian crises.

“These missions share the purpose of mitigating the suffering of innocent people, particularly women, children, and the elderly,” Murmu said. “They reflect the best of human values — compassion, courage, and cooperation.”

As of October 2025, nearly 68,000 UN peacekeeping personnel are serving across eleven ongoing operations worldwide, over 90 per cent of whom are uniformed personnel, she added.

Highlighting India’s Gender Inclusion in Peacekeeping

A central theme in President Murmu’s address was India’s progressive role in gender inclusion within global peacekeeping.

She commended Indian women peacekeepers for their ability to empower local communities, foster trust, and bridge divides in post-conflict societies.

“Women peacekeepers have empowered local communities and fostered trust,” Murmu said. “Their presence sends a powerful message of equality, empathy, and resilience.”

India deployed its first all-women police unit to Liberia in 2007 — a milestone that inspired several countries to integrate women into frontline peacekeeping roles.

Since then, Indian female officers have served in South Sudan, Congo, Cyprus, and Haiti, often becoming symbols of hope in war-affected communities.

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Peacekeeping and the Spirit of Multilateralism

Reaffirming India’s long-standing belief in multilateralism and international cooperation, President Murmu said that as the world’s largest democracy, India remains firmly committed to the ideals of the United Nations Charter.

“As the largest democracy, India firmly believes in multilateralism and adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter,” she said. “Through years of service, Indian peacekeepers have upheld not just the UN mandate but also the ideals of peace, justice, and humanity.”

She emphasized that peacekeeping is not just about deploying troops — it is about building relationships, strengthening institutions, and ensuring lasting peace.

Technology and Peace: Tools for Humanity

The President underscored the role of emerging technologies in enhancing peacekeeping operations, from real-time data sharing to humanitarian logistics and security coordination.

“Technology can be an effective tool to amplify our shared commitment to humanity,” she said. “It can help us prevent conflict, protect civilians, and strengthen transparency in operations.”

Murmu urged all nations to work toward modern, adaptable frameworks for peacekeeping — frameworks that empower both troop-contributing countries and local stakeholders.

“We should collectively strive for frameworks that encourage a stronger voice for troop-contributing countries,” she said. “Peace must not be enforced; it must be nurtured through participation and partnership.”

A Humanitarian Vision of Peace

President Murmu also reflected on the humanitarian essence of peacekeeping, saying that peacekeepers embody “the best of human values.”

“Together as custodians of peace, let us enable a world where every child sleeps in safety, every community thrives in harmony, and conflicts are relegated to the pages of history,” she said.

She expressed gratitude to the families of peacekeepers who serve under difficult conditions in distant lands.

“Behind every peacekeeper stands a family that sacrifices comfort for the greater good of humanity,” she added.

Empathy and Valor: The Indian Example

India’s record in UN peacekeeping spans over seven decades, involving more than 250,000 Indian soldiers, police, and medical personnel serving in multiple continents.

Indian troops have been praised for their discipline, professionalism, and cultural sensitivity, qualities that have earned them widespread respect among local populations.

From Korea and Congo to Sudan and Lebanon, Indian contingents have played crucial roles in reconstruction, demining, and humanitarian relief.

“Indian peacekeepers have upheld the UN mandate while earning goodwill among the people they serve in strife-torn regions,” President Murmu said, adding that this goodwill represents “the moral capital of India’s diplomacy.”

Role of Women and Civil-Military Synergy

Murmu acknowledged the integrated contributions of combat engineers, medical teams, and police units, describing their service as “life-sustaining.”

“Our combat engineers, medical teams, and police have provided critical services in areas devastated by conflict,” she noted. “Their work represents the compassionate side of soldiering.”

She reiterated that women peacekeepers symbolize hope and empowerment in regions recovering from war.

“In the journey of peacekeeping, India has made appreciable strides in gender inclusion,” she said. “Our women peacekeepers are not just participants — they are agents of transformation.”

Shared Challenges, Shared Resolve

The President expressed optimism that the Army Chiefs’ Conclave would yield “relevant and workable ideas” to address contemporary peacekeeping challenges — including troop safety, political complexities, and evolving conflict dynamics.

“I am hopeful that the outcome of this conclave will help address the challenges faced by our peacekeepers,” Murmu said. “Your discussions will help shape a more responsive, inclusive, and effective global peacekeeping framework.”

She urged the participating nations to engage more closely with local stakeholders, noting that local partnerships are essential to building sustainable peace.

“We must work towards more active engagement with local communities,” she added. “This will help create an environment in which peace is not enforced but nurtured through participative processes.”

India’s Global Standing as a Peacekeeping Leader

India’s contributions to the UN have not been limited to manpower. The country has also provided training, logistics, and medical support, helping to strengthen the global peacekeeping infrastructure.

Indian peacekeepers have often served in high-risk environments, including during civil wars, epidemics, and natural disasters.

According to the UN, India remains one of the top ten troop-contributing countries, with Indian personnel deployed in South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lebanon, and the Golan Heights, among other locations.

“The Indian experience blends professionalism with empathy,” said a UN official attending the conclave. “That combination defines why Indian peacekeepers are respected around the world.”

Global Recognition and Humanitarian Legacy

The President’s remarks echo a broader recognition of India’s role as a responsible global actor.

In 2024, the United Nations Secretary-General described Indian peacekeepers as “pillars of stability” in regions affected by prolonged conflict.

President Murmu’s speech at the conclave reaffirmed that India’s engagement in peacekeeping is not transactional but transformational — a reflection of its civilizational ethos of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (the world is one family).

“As nations that contribute valiant women and men to the noble cause of peacekeeping, we must continue to innovate, collaborate, and inspire,” Murmu said.

Looking Ahead: A Vision for the Future

As the conclave concluded, President Murmu expressed confidence that new partnerships and deeper cooperation will emerge from the discussions.

“Events like this will promote new ideas, deeper cooperation, and enduring friendships,” she said.

Her closing message was one of hope — for a world where peacekeeping becomes a force for empowerment rather than enforcement. “Together, as custodians of peace, let us enable a world where every child sleeps in safety and every community thrives in harmony,” she said. “Let conflicts be relegated to the pages of history.”

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