SYLLABUS
GS 2: Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.
Context: Recently, India condemned the killing of three Indonesian peacekeepers, deployed in South Lebanon as part of the UNIFIL and expressed concern about the growing number of anti-UNIFIL attacks.
About UNIFIL
• The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) is a peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon, established by the Security Council in 1978 through Resolutions 425 and 426.
• It was created to confirm Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, restore international peace and security, and assist the Lebanese Government in restoring its effective authority in the area.
• Following the 34-day war between Hezbollah and Israel in Lebanon in 2006, which killed around 1,100 Lebanese, UNIFIL’s mandate was expanded to monitor the ceasefire and assist Lebanese armed forces in southern Lebanon.
• Its 17% of activities are carried out jointly with the Lebanese Armed Forces. UNIFIL is complemented by a five-vessel Maritime Task Force.
• As of 30 March 2026, UNIFIL’s force consists of 7,505 peacekeepers from 47 troop-contributing countries.
• India is one of the largest and longest serving contributors to Peacekeeping with a total of 642 troops. Indonesia is the largest contributor with 755.
• Head of Mission and Force Commander: Major General Diodato Abagnara (Italy)
About United Nations Peacekeeping
• United Nations Peacekeeping is one of the most important instruments of the United Nations for maintaining international peace and security. Since 1948, it has deployed missions across conflict zones to help countries transition from war to peace.
• It represents multilateral cooperation, where member states contribute troops, police, and civilians—symbolised by the iconic “Blue Helmets”.
• Objectives of UN Peacekeeping:
- Maintain ceasefires and peace agreements
- Protect civilians from violence
- Support political processes and elections
- Facilitate humanitarian assistance
- Promote the rule of law and human rights
- Assist in disarmament, demobilisation, and reintegration (DDR)
- They act as a bridge between conflict and sustainable peace.
• Core Principles of UN Peacekeeping:
- Consent of the Parties – Missions operate with the approval of the conflicting parties.
- Impartiality – Peacekeepers remain unbiased while implementing mandates.
- Non-use of Force (except in self-defence and mandate defence) – Force is used only as a last resort.
India and Peacekeeping
• India is among the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping, with its armed forces deployed in nine missions, including UNDOF, UNIFIL, UNTSO, UNFICYP, MONUSCO, UNMISS, UNIFSA, MINUSCA, and MINURSO.
• Since the 1950s, India has deployed over 290,000 peacekeepers in 50+ missions, with 5,000+ currently serving in nine missions, and nearly 180 personnel having made the ultimate sacrifice.
• The Indian Army has set up the Centre for UN Peacekeeping (CUNPK) in New Delhi to provide specialised training for peacekeeping operations.
• In line with the UN’s gender parity goals and the Nari Shakti initiative, India, in 2007, deployed the first-ever all-female Formed Police Unit (FPU) to Liberia.
• Awards Conferred to Indians:
- Major Radhika Sen was honoured with the UN’s “Military Gender Advocate of the Year 2023” award.
- Major Swathi Shantha Kumar won the prestigious 2025 UN Secretary-General’s Award for her project “Equal Partners, Lasting Peace,” promoting gender-responsive peacekeeping in South Sudan.