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India’s Peacekeeping Role: A Strategic Global Leadership Move

Syllabus:

GS-2:

Important International Institutions , Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India’s Interests , International Treaties & Agreements , Effect of Policies & Politics of Countries on India’s Interests

Focus:

With the Russia-Ukraine war persisting, discussions on India’s potential peacekeeping role have gained momentum. A proposal to deploy Indian peacekeepers in Ukraine post-ceasefire could enhance India’s global stature, strengthen its UNSC aspirations, and position it as a key player in international conflict resolution.

India’s Potential Role in Global Peacekeeping:

India’s Legacy in Peacekeeping

• India has a long history of UN peacekeeping contributions, dating back to the Korean War (1953) when Jawaharlal Nehru sent 1,000 troops to stabilize the conflict.
• Over the decades, India has participated in multiple UN missions (e.g., Congo, Sudan) showcasing its commitment to global stability.

Ukraine Conflict: A Turning Point

• The Russia-Ukraine war has reached a stalemate, presenting an opportunity for neutral powers like India to mediate.
• A bold peacekeeping initiative—sending 5,000 Indian troops—could mark India’s transition from a regional player to a global leader.

Strategic Autonomy and Global Good

• India maintains diplomatic ties with both Russia and the West, allowing it to act as a credible mediator.
• By leveraging its neutral stance, India can bridge divides in a fragmented world and demonstrate pragmatic leadership.

UN Peacekeeping and India’s Contribution:

About UN Peacekeeping:

• UN Peacekeeping helps maintain or restore international peace and security in conflict-affected areas.
• Established to support conflict-to-peace transition in nations.
• Operates under three principles:
• Consent of parties involved.
• Impartiality in conflict resolution.
• Non-use of force, except for self-defense and mandate protection.
• Composition: Majority are military and police, but 14% are civilians.

Inception and Evolution:

• First mission (1948): UNTSO in the Middle East to monitor the Israel-Arab Armistice Agreement.
• Over 70 peacekeeping operations in seven decades with 1 million+ personnel.
• Currently: 100,000 personnel from 125 countries in 14 active missions.

India’s Contribution to UN Peacekeeping:

• First involvement: Korea (1953).
• Over 2,90,000 Indian personnel have served in 50+ UN missions.
• Currently, 5,000+ Indian peacekeepers are deployed in 9 active missions.
• Rooted in the philosophy of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (The world is one family).

Women in Peacekeeping:

• Women in UN Peacekeeping (2022):
• 7.9% of all uniformed personnel.
• 5.9% in military contingents, 14.4% in police forces, 43% in justice and corrections.
• India’s Role:
• Pioneered female peacekeeping with women medical officers in Congo (1960s).
• First all-female Formed Police Unit (FPU) to Liberia (2007).
• 2025: 150+ Indian women peacekeepers serve in six critical missions (Congo, South Sudan, Lebanon, Golan Heights, Western Sahara, Abyei).

Achievements of India in UN Peacekeeping:

• 2023: Received UN’s highest peacekeeping honor – Dag Hammarskjöld Medal (Shishupal Singh, Sanwala Ram Vishnoi, Shaber Taher Ali).
• Major Radhika Sen: UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year (2023).
• Centre for United Nations Peacekeeping (CUNPK):
• Established by the Indian Army in New Delhi.
• February 2025: Hosted ‘Conference on Women Peacekeepers from the Global South’ at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi.

Strategic Diplomacy: The ‘Gaga Diplomacy’ Approach:

The Concept of ‘Gaga Diplomacy’

• Inspired by Lady Gaga’s boldness, this strategy promotes unapologetic, confident, and strategic moves on the global stage.
• India can rewrite history by taking calculated risks and engaging in assertive diplomacy.

A Pragmatic Peacekeeping Initiative

• India can initiate a ceasefire dialogue, offering to deploy peacekeepers post-conflict stabilization.
• 3,000 troops could be initially deployed in August, scaling up to 5,000 by the year-end, ensuring buffer zones and humanitarian assistance.
• Medical teams, schools, and reconstruction aid would enhance India’s credibility as a stabilizing force.

Managing Global Stakeholders

• The U.S. Factor: If Donald Trump returns to power, he may support India’s role to justify cutting direct U.S. aid to Ukraine.
• Russia’s Reaction: India must reassure Moscow that its peacekeeping is not a NATO-driven intervention but a stability measure.
• European Buy-in: India’s involvement could secure funding from European nations seeking stability.

The Diplomatic and Strategic Gains for India:

Elevating India’s Global Status

• A successful peacekeeping mission would solidify India’s reputation as a responsible global power.
• India could position itself as a ‘peace guarantor’—a mature, stabilizing force in global politics.

Strengthening India’s UNSC Aspirations

• A proactive role in conflict resolution could bolster India’s case for permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
• It would differentiate India from China, whose geopolitical assertiveness is often viewed with skepticism.

Winning the Global South

• India’s leadership in peacekeeping would resonate with developing nations, reinforcing its role as a voice of the Global South.
• By emphasizing non-imperial ambitions, India can gain support from African, Latin American, and Asian nations.

Challenges and Risks Involved:

Managing Military Commitments

• While 5,000 troops is a significant deployment, India has historically contributed 20,000+ personnel in UN missions since the 1950s.
• Careful troop rotation and logistics planning will be required to ensure long-term sustainability.

Avoiding Political Pitfalls

• India must maintain strict neutrality, ensuring its peacekeeping mission does not tilt towards NATO or Russia.
• It should clarify that its objective is peace, not geopolitical maneuvering.

Economic and Strategic Costs

• Although Europe may fund the initiative, India must balance its economic interests while ensuring troop safety in a volatile war zone.
• India must also safeguard its defense partnerships with Russia while securing Western support.

The Road Ahead: India’s Vision for a Global Leadership Role:

Shaping the Future of Peace Diplomacy

• By leading a peacekeeping mission, India would reinvent its global identity as a decisive actor rather than a bystander.
• This shift would align with Prime Minister Modi’s vision of India as a ‘Vishwaguru’ (Global Guru).

Expanding the Peacekeeping Framework

• India can propose a wider peacekeeping coalition involving non-aligned nations (e.g., Brazil, South Africa, ASEAN states) to enhance credibility.
• Advanced surveillance technologies (drones, AI-based monitoring) could be integrated to ensure effective conflict monitoring.

Reinforcing Soft Power and Strategic Influence

• A successful intervention could amplify India’s soft power, opening doors for greater geopolitical leverage in international organizations.
• It would help India negotiate better trade deals, defense collaborations, and diplomatic alliances

Conclusion: The Moment to Seize the Global Stage

• If executed correctly, India’s peacekeeping initiative could be one of the most significant diplomatic moves of the decade.
• It would reshape India’s global perception, making it a proactive, confident, and indispensable player in world affairs.
• This is an opportunity to turn strategic vision into action—an India that no longer dreams small but delivers big.

India must step up, take bold action, and redefine its place in the world as a true ‘Vishwaguru.’

Source: IE

Mains Practice Question:

India’s potential involvement in Ukraine as a peacekeeping force could redefine its global standing. Analyze the strategic, diplomatic, and economic implications of such a move. How can India balance its neutrality while ensuring effective conflict resolution? Discuss with relevant examples.