Indian peacekeepers honoured with UN Medal for Exemplary Service

Tags: Awards

Over 1,000 Indian peacekeepers serving in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) were awarded the prestigious United Nations Medal at an award ceremony.

An overview of the news

• At a special award ceremony in Upper Nile, 1,171 peacekeepers from India deployed with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan were awarded the United Nations Medal for their exemplary service.

• For the first time, a woman officer of the Indian Army, Major Jasmine Chatha, led the parade of the Indian contingent at the award ceremony in Upper Nile.

• India is one of the largest troop-contributing countries to UN peacekeeping missions

• Peacekeepers of India are commended for their excellent work and duties while serving in missions.

• As of June 2022, 2370 Indian military personnel are deployed with UNMISS, second only to Rwanda (2637).

About UN Peacekeeping

• UN peacekeeping began in 1948 when the UN Security Council authorised the deployment of UN military observers in the Middle East.

• It helps to bring countries from conflict to a difficult path of peace.

• It deploys soldiers and police from all over the world for peacekeeping.

• India is one of the largest military and police contributors to UN peacekeeping operations.

• There are currently more than 5,700 Indian peacekeepers deployed in nine of the 12 UN peacekeeping missions.