Sat May 17 17:14:28 UTC 2025: **Headline: India Pledges Significant Support to UN Peacekeeping at Berlin Ministerial**
**New Delhi, May 17, 2025:** India, a leading contributor to United Nations Peacekeeping (UNPK) missions, reaffirmed its commitment at the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial concluded in Berlin on May 14, pledging substantial resources to enhance global peace operations.
The Indian delegation committed a Quick Reaction Force (QRF) Company, a male armed police unit (CRPF or mixed CRPF), a women-led Police Unit, a Counter-Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit (IED/EOD Unit), a K9 Unit, and a SWAT Police Unit.
Beyond personnel, India has offered extensive peacekeeping training, capacity building, and partnerships. This includes UN pre-deployment training for trainers, courses for UN military observers and contingent commanders, a UN female military officers course, and international programs through the UNCIVPOL Centre. This builds on India’s existing training programs, including collaborations with the U.S. to train African countries.
The two-day UNPK Ministerial 2025 convened over 1,000 participants from more than 130 member states and international organizations. Discussions centered on innovative approaches to address complex conflicts, leveraging technology, and combating misinformation.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the critical role of UN peacekeepers in saving lives, stating, “Now more than ever, the world needs the UN. And the UN needs peacekeeping that is fully equipped for today’s realities and tomorrow’s challenges.”
Germany pledged €82 million to UN Peacekeeping, along with continued support through training and equipment. Defence Minister Boris Pistorius highlighted the focus on “new and innovative pledges, ranging from renewable energy technologies to medical transport drones to the protection from improvised explosive devices.”
The ministerial resulted in a total of 74 member states making pledges, including 88 military and police units from 53 nations. Additionally, 59 member states committed to specialized training on key areas like peacekeeping-intelligence, protection of civilians, gender issues, and preventing sexual exploitation and abuse. Eighteen member states pledged to improve mission effectiveness through technological advancements and data-driven approaches, and 38 committed to advancing the Women, Peace and Security agenda.
Currently, over 61,000 military and police peacekeepers from 119 countries, along with more than 7,000 civilian personnel, serve in 11 Peacekeeping Missions. India ranks as the fourth-largest troop-contributing nation, with 5,375 personnel deployed in UN peacekeeping operations.
The Berlin Ministerial marks the latest in a series of high-level meetings designed to bolster political support and generate concrete commitments to improve UN Peacekeeping.
First Piper 