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UN Peacekeeping | International Day of Peacekeeping
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- Context (PIB): The Indian Army commemorated the 76th International Day of UN Peacekeepers at the National War Memorial, New Delhi.
UN Peacekeeping
- UN peacekeepers provide security, political and peacebuilding support to help countries make the difficult, early transition from conflict to peace.
- There are currently 11 UN peacekeeping operations deployed on three continents.
Credits: UN Peacekeeping
- The UN Peacekeeping forces were awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace in the year 1988.
- Capstone Doctrine covers the basic principles and key concepts related to UN peacekeeping.
Role of Peacekeeping operations include
- Maintaining peace and security;
- Facilitate the political process, protect civilians;
- Assist in the disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration of former combatants;
- Support the organisation of elections;
- Protect and promote human rights;
- Assist in restoring the rule of law.
Three basic principles of UN Peacekeeping
- Consent of the parties;
- Impartiality;
- Non-use of force except in self-defence and defence of the mandate.
International Day of Peacekeeping
- On this day in 1948, the first UN Peacekeeping Mission, the UN Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO), began operations in Palestine.
- Theme 2024: ‘Fit for the future, building better together’, towards creating an equitable, just, and sustainable world for all.
- On the same day, the Dag Hammarskjold Medal will be awarded posthumously to fallen peacekeepers.
Dag Hammarskjold Medal
Captain Mbaye Diagne Medal
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India and Peacekeeping
UN Military Observer Group In India And Pakistan (UNMOGIP)
- Appointed by the UN Secretary-General based on the U.N. Security Council Resolution 39 of January 1948 that set up the U.N. Commission for India and Pakistan (UNCIP).
- Arrived on 24 January 1949 to supervise the ceasefire between India and Pakistan in Jammu & Kashmir, as permitted by the Karachi Agreement of July 1949.
- Following renewed hostilities of 1971, UNMOGIP has remained in the area to observe the ceasefire.
- HQ: Srinagar (May to October) and Islamabad (November to April)
- India officially maintains that the UNMOGIP’s role was “overtaken” by the Simla Agreement of 1972 that established the Line of Control(LoC).
- Pakistan continues to seek cooperation from the UNMOGIP.
India as contributor
- India is one of the largest contributors. Indian Armed Forces are deployed in nine peacekeeping missions: UNDOF, UNIFIL, UNTSO, UNFICYP, MONUSCO, UNMISS, UNIFSA, MINUSCA, and MINURSO.
- The Indian Army has established a Centre for UN Peacekeeping (CUNPK) in New Delhi to impart niche training in peacekeeping operations.
- In support of the UN’s gender parity drive and Nari Shakti initiative, India has deployed Female Engagement Teams (FETs) in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Abyei (the second-largest Indian women contingent after Liberia). India has also deployed women military police in Golan Heights.
- Recognising the contributions, Major Radhika Sen was awarded “Military Gender Advocate of the Year 2023” by the UN Headquarters.
Credits: UN Peacekeeping