Opinion | Boots on Foreign Soil, Hearts Committed to Peace: Indian Army at the UN

Despite being a consistent pillar of UN peacekeeping, India still finds itself outside the permanent membership of the UN Security Council—a position it rightfully deserves. The irony is hard to miss. A nation that has risked its soldiers for global stability is yet to be given a decisive voice in shaping that stability.

War shatters lives, erases histories, and leaves behind scars that take generations to heal. But amid the chaos, there are forces that step in—not as conquerors, but as guardians of peace. The Indian Army, with its unmatched discipline, courage, and deep-rooted values, has been at the forefront of global peacekeeping under the United Nations. It has stood between warring factions, calmed volatile regions, and upheld humanity in places where even hope seemed to have abandoned its post. This is not just about boots on the ground; it’s about a legacy of sacrifice, resilience, and an unyielding commitment to a world that refuses to drown in its own conflicts.
Since its first deployment in Korea in the 1950s, India has remained one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping missions. From Africa to the Balkans, from Haiti to Lebanon, Indian soldiers have walked into fire not to fight but to prevent wars from escalating. They have defused tensions in Congo, protected civilians in Sudan, and even led groundbreaking efforts in Rwanda, where history witnessed one of the most horrific genocides. The numbers alone speak volumes—over 2,75,000 Indian peacekeepers have served in 49 missions worldwide. But numbers don’t tell you the full story. They don’t capture the sleepless nights on the frontlines, the bullets dodged while escorting refugees, or the silent prayers whispered before stepping into conflict zones where the enemy isn’t always clear.
What sets the Indian Army apart isn’t just its military prowess but its humane approach to peacekeeping. Unlike many forces that see peacekeeping as a mere strategic duty, India has always viewed it as a moral responsibility. Indian soldiers don’t just patrol borders; they rebuild lives. They set up hospitals in war-torn villages, educate children in makeshift classrooms, and provide food and medical aid to those left abandoned in the wreckage of war. In South Sudan, where ethnic violence had turned entire towns into graveyards, Indian peacekeepers went beyond their mandate—rescuing stranded civilians, conducting medical camps, and even repairing infrastructure to help communities rebuild.
The price of peacekeeping, however, is steep. India has lost over 180 soldiers while serving under the UN flag—one of the highest tolls among all contributing nations. These are not just numbers on a forgotten plaque. They are sons, fathers, and brothers who walked into foreign lands, knowing they might never return. Their sacrifice is a testament to India’s unwavering belief in peace, even in a world that often seems determined to tear itself apart. Yet, for all its contributions, India’s role in global peacekeeping remains underappreciated in international corridors. Despite being a consistent pillar of UN peacekeeping, India still finds itself outside the permanent membership of the UN Security Council—a position it rightfully deserves. The irony is hard to miss. A nation that has risked its soldiers for global stability is yet to be given a decisive voice in shaping that stability.
But India’s commitment to peace is not driven by political ambitions. It is driven by the simple yet profound belief that war is not the answer, and that peace is worth fighting for—even when the world isn’t watching. Whether it’s rescuing civilians in Congo, preventing ethnic clashes in Cyprus, or ensuring a fragile truce in Lebanon, the Indian Army has proven time and again that real strength isn’t in waging wars—it’s in preventing them. The world may not always acknowledge it, but the footprints of Indian peacekeepers are etched in the soil of countless nations, in the smiles of children who found safety in their presence, and in the silent gratitude of communities that would have otherwise been forgotten. And as long as there is a call for peace, India will answer—not with words, but with its soldiers who stand as a shield between war and humanity.
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