Fri May 30 05:55:54 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
The UN’s Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, lauded India’s significant support for UN peacekeeping efforts during a press briefing on the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers. He highlighted India’s contributions as a major troop and police contributor, its leadership in promoting accountability for crimes against peacekeepers, and its initiative in organizing the first-ever Conference for Women Peacekeepers in New Delhi. The conference, focusing on the “Global South Perspective,” aimed to enhance women’s roles in peacekeeping and empower women in political processes and peacebuilding efforts. Lacroix emphasized the importance of increased female participation in peacekeeping, both in terms of numbers and senior positions. He also acknowledged the challenges in achieving gender balance in military units and senior leadership roles. India is the 4th largest contributor of uniformed personnel to UN Peacekeeping.
**News Article:**
**UN Praises India’s Vital Role in Peacekeeping Efforts**
*United Nations, May 30, 2025* – The United Nations is recognizing India’s critical support for global peacekeeping operations. Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, commended India as a leading troop and police contributor, and for its leadership in ensuring accountability for crimes against peacekeepers.
Speaking at a press briefing on the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, Lacroix specifically highlighted the recent Conference for Women Peacekeepers hosted by India in New Delhi. The conference, focused on empowering women from the Global South in peacekeeping, brought together representatives from 35 troop-contributing countries. Lacroix emphasized that greater female participation leads to more effective peacekeeping missions and empowers women in broader political and peacebuilding processes.
“India is a very important supporter of peacekeeping,” said Lacroix. “Beyond the contribution of men and women from India, they are leading efforts on accountability for crimes against peacekeepers.”
He acknowledged the ongoing challenges in achieving gender balance within military units and senior leadership positions, urging member states to provide greater resources and qualified female candidates.
India is currently the 4th largest contributor of uniformed personnel to UN Peacekeeping, with over 5,300 military and police personnel deployed across multiple missions. It was also the first country to deploy an all-women Formed Police Unit to Liberia in 2007.
Lacroix’s comments underscore the importance of international cooperation in maintaining peace and security, with India playing a pivotal role in these efforts.
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