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Indian Army, through the Centre for United Nations Peacekeeping (CUNPK), India, is hosting a two-day conference titled ‘Conference on Women Peacekeepers from the Global South’ at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi, on 24-25 February 2025.

This conference, being organised by the Ministry of External Affairs in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence, has brought together women peacekeepers from 35 nations to explore the evolving role of women in peacekeeping operations and discuss strategies to enhance their participation in these crucial missions.

The conference aims to strengthen the role of women in UN peacekeeping by fostering dialogue, sharing experiences, and improving collaboration among the nations of the Global South.

On the inaugural day, the participants had an audience with President Draupadi Murmu, President of India, at Rashtrapati Bhawan.

This was followed by a keynote address by EAM Dr S Jaishankar

India has been at the forefront of deploying women in peacekeeping roles, both military and police, with over 150 women peacekeepers deployed across six critical missions, including in the Congo, South Sudan and Lebanon, EAM said.

Addressing the inaugural session of the Conference for Women Peacekeepers from the Global South, titled ‘Women in Peacekeeping – A Global South Perspective’, Dr Jaishankar that India is proud of its contributions and association with UN peacekeeping, a commitment that spans decades.

“Since the 1950s, India has contributed over 290,000 peacekeepers across more than 50 missions. In fact, India remains the largest Troop Contributing Country to this day. Currently, more than 5,000 Indian peacekeepers are deployed in nine of the 11 active missions, often in challenging and hostile environments, with a singular focus: the advancement of global peace and security.”

He said that India has unfortunately lost nearly 180 peacekeepers, “whose supreme sacrifices are etched in the history of our collective endeavors forever.”

“One such individual, Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria, posthumously honored with the Param Vir Chakra for his courage during the UN Mission in Congo, remains a beacon of inspiration. His is the singular case of this highest honor being awarded for operations conducted abroad,” Jaishankar added.

EAM said India first began deploying women in peacekeeping roles in the 1960s, when Indian women, as medical officers, were deployed in Congo.

“In 2007, India was the first to deploy an all-women Formed Police Unit in Liberia—a pioneering initiative that had an indelible impact on both the host community and the broader UN framework. Over the years, this initiative empowered Liberian women, increasing their participation in security sectors.”

Indian women peacekeepers are deployed in the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Lebanon, Golan Heights, Western Sahara, and Abyei.