India affirms its commitment to assume greater responsibilities in reformed United Nations: EAM S Jaishankar

By R Anil Kumar

New Delhi. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s readiness to take on greater responsibilities in a reformed United Nations and a renewed multilateral order, while addressing the United Nations Troop Contributing Countries’ (UNTCC) Chiefs’ Conclave.

In his address at the concluding day of the United Nations Troop Contributing Countries’ (UNTCC) Chiefs Conclave Jaishankar outlined key principles that should guide future UN peace operations, stressing that mandates must be “realistic and clear” to ensure effective implementation. He also reiterated that “the primary responsibility for the protection of civilians still lies with the host state.”

“There is a strong desire among members of the UN for a reformed United Nations, including expansion of the permanent and non-permanent categories of membership of the Security Council. However, the process of reform itself is being used to derail that agenda. As a result, I’m sorry to say, historical injustices still continue,” Jaishankar said.

He added, “India affirms its commitment to assume greater responsibilities in a reformed United Nations and in a reformed multilateralism.”

Turning to the role of peacekeeping, the minister highlighted India’s long-standing contributions to UN peace operations. “Since its inception, it has been a testament to what we can achieve when nations unite for a larger cause.

Our peacekeepers have been a powerful force for good. These brave sons and daughters put their lives on the line to protect civilians, to deliver humanitarian aid, and to support fragile peace processes. They are the real torchbearers of multilateralism,” he said.

Jaishankar paid tribute to the fallen peacekeepers, adding, “Let me honour today the more than 4,000 UN and 182 Indian peacekeepers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.”

“They stand out as a testament to bravery, and their legacy remains a solemn call to action for all of us. We must ensure that their message lives on,” he added.

Further, he called for realistic and clearly defined mandates in United Nations peacekeeping missions and emphasised the importance of safeguarding peacekeepers while addressing the UNTCC Chiefs’ Conclave.

“You would all be aware that peacekeeping was not originally envisaged in the UN Charter. The very concept of peacekeeping has evolved over the years. Currently, it draws its mandate from the decisions of the UN Security Council. Changing geopolitical dynamics, the complexities of world affairs, and the nature of conflicts have all shaped the demands of peacekeeping. We all recognise that peacekeeping has been the flagship endeavour and the most effective instrument of the United Nations,” he said.

Highlighting the growing role of technology in modern peacekeeping, Jaishankar said, “Technology and peacekeeping go hand in hand and are in fact a force multiplier in peace operations. As a nation that has embraced innovation, let me underline that India stands ready to be a technology demonstrator to enhance the operational capacity of peacekeeping.”

He also drew attention to the importance of communication and combating false narratives, stating, “To address the needs of strategic communication, we must strive to counter mis- and disinformation. The role of ICT is therefore very important.”

Emphasising the safety and security of personnel, the minister said, “Paramount importance must be given to the safety and security of peacekeepers. We must always ensure that perpetrators of any attack on them are brought to justice.”

Underscoring India’s long-standing commitment to UN peace operations, Jaishankar added, “For India, participation in UN peace operations is a profound expression of our responsibility as a member state and of our belief in global commitments. Since inception, we have contributed over 300,000 troops cumulatively, making us the world’s largest troop-contributing country.”

“Our peacekeepers have served and are serving with distinction and professionalism in some of the world’s most challenging theatres, including South Sudan, Lebanon, Syria and the DRC. This sustained commitment stems from our conviction that peace anywhere strengthens peace everywhere,” he said.

UN today still reflects realities of 1945, not of 2025; it must reform: Jaishankar

The EAM underscored the need to “recalibrate” global peacekeeping efforts in tune with evolving realities

The External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressing the United Nations Troop Contributing Countries’ (UNTCC) Chiefs’ said that the United Nations today “still reflects the realities of 1945, not of 2025”, External Affairs Minister said even as he asserted that for the UN to be effective, it must reform, becoming more inclusive, democratic, participative and representative of the current world.

He also said the nature of conflicts have transformed with the “rise of non-state actors” and with asymmetric warfare.

The EAM underscored the need to “recalibrate” global peacekeeping efforts in tune with evolving realities.

He also called for decisions on peacekeeping mandates to be taken in close consultation with all stakeholders, including troop-contributing and host nations.

In his address, he also recalled about his recent visit to New York to attend the 80th UN General Assembly.

“Let me share with you some key insights of that experience. One, the United Nations today still reflects the realities of 1945, not of 2025. Eighty years is a long time by any standards, and during this period, the UN membership has actually quadrupled. Two, institutions that fail to adapt risk irrelevance. Not just irrelevance, but eroding legitimacy and leaving us without recourse in times of uncertainty,” the EAM said.

“Three, for the UN to be effective, it must reform, becoming more inclusive, democratic, participative, and as I said, representative of today’s world. And, four, it must amplify the voices of the developing world and reflect the aspirations of the rising Global South. The UN’s legitimacy, and I would say, the UN’s credibility, depend on it doing so,” he said.

Jaishankar reiterates India’s commitment to women in UN peacekeeping

External Affairs Minister Jaishankar has emphasised India’s commitment to the United Nations’ Women, Peace, and Security agenda, recalling that the country hosted the first International Conference on Women Peacekeepers from the Global South.

“It is no longer a question of whether women can do peacekeeping. Rather, it is whether peacekeeping can succeed without women,” he said addressing the United Nations Troop Contributing Countries Chiefs’ Conclave, UNTCC in New Delhi on Thursday.

“We also take great pride that we have walked the talk in our commitment towards Women, Peace and Security. Our women peacekeepers have demonstrated the unique impact that they have. They build trust in communities and give hope to vulnerable populations, especially women and children,” Jaishankar said.

The Union Minister recalled that in February 2025, India had hosted the first-ever International Conference on Women Peacekeepers from the Global South, bringing together women peacekeepers from 35 nations. Also, in August this year, India hosted the UN Women Military Officers Course, which saw participation from 15 countries.

India was the first country to deploy an all-female Formed Police Unit to a UN peacekeeping mission. Deployed to Liberia in 2007 under the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), the Indian women officers performed crowd control, guard duties, community outreach and anti-riot operations.

Indian women peacekeepers serve in various capacities across multiple missions, including South Sudan (UNMISS), Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), Lebanon (UNIFIL) and Syria (UNDOF).

Their roles include military observers, staff officers, contingent troops, medical officers and Police personnel.

The Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda is a global framework, launched by the UN Security Council in 2000, which aims to ensure women’s participation in preventing and resolving conflict and to protect them from violence. It is built on the foundation that women’s leadership is essential for lasting peace and has four main pillars: participation, protection, prevention, and relief and recovery. The agenda is further defined by ten UN Security Council resolutions that promote gender equality and women’s rights across the entire conflict cycle.

In his address to the UNTCCC conclave, Jaishankar said that the idea of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (The world is one family) of India is reflected in India’s participation in UN peacekeeping. India approaches peacekeeping as a civilizational ethos and sees the world as one family, Jaishankar said

The Union Minister stressed enhanced cooperation among nations to deal with the challenges posed by terrorism, economic instability and climate change, which he said are interconnected and transcend national borders.

“The global challenges we face – from pandemics to terrorism, and economic instability to climate change – these challenges are interconnected and they transcend national borders. Our responses, therefore, must be more cooperative, transcending the competitive aspects of international politics,” he said.

“The natural starting point for such collaboration is the United Nations,” he said.

The Union Minister also emphasised the country’s commitment to multilateralism and international partnerships.

India hosted the conclave from October 14-16, which was attended by delegates from countries that contribute troops to the UN peacekeeping missions around the globe.

The UNTCC serves as a vital forum to address operational challenges, evolving threats, interoperability, inclusivity in decision-making and the role of technology and training in strengthening UN peacekeeping missions.

On Thursday 16 October, a delegation of the members participating in the conclave called on President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Highlighting the positive contribution of Indian peace-keepers, the president appreciated all the participating countries in their resolve towards sustainable peace and prosperity.

The President expressed her happiness over coming together of countries in the UNTCC Chiefs Conclave to collectively evolve workable framework for future peace-keeping operations in the challenging world order.

President Murmu stressed on the need to “co-opt all stakeholders and exploit technology to ensure deeper cooperation, enduring friendship and safety of UN peace-keepers,” the defence ministry said in a statement.

Earlier in the day, EAM Jaishankar in his address at a session held at the Manekshaw Centre, emphasised that while UN peacekeeping remains a cornerstone of global stability, it must adapt to emerging challenges through realistic mandates, better technology and enhanced safety for peacekeepers.

Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi held a series of bilateral meetings with the Army chiefs of Burundi, Tanzania, Poland, Ethiopia, Nepal and Uganda during the course of the conclave, the defence ministry said in a statement.

The discussions centred on strengthening defence cooperation, enhancing interoperability and fostering closer coordination in future peacekeeping missions. These engagements reflected the conclave’s overarching spirit of dialogue, partnership and shared commitment towards promoting global peace, stability and collective security, it added.

The conclave concluded with a unanimous affirmation that UN peacekeeping must “adapt to new realities” through inclusive decision-making with a stronger voice for troop-contributing nations.

And, also safeguard peacekeepers and ensure their safety through realistic mandates, leverage indigenous and cost-effective technologies for mission success, and enhance interoperability and training frameworks to prepare troops for complex environments, it said.

Over the past three days, the conclave brought together UNTCC chiefs from 32 nations, senior UN officials, policymakers and industry leaders.

The deliberations, cultural exchanges and operational showcases stood as a testament to India’s commitment to bring together consensus through a collaborative approach towards a shared vision of a secure, inclusive and stable world order, the Ministry said.

Earlier in the day, the distinguished UNTCC chiefs, accompanied by their spouses, paid homage at the National War Memorial, honouring the supreme sacrifice made by India’s bravehearts.

This was followed by a tree plantation ceremony at the Manekshaw Centre, symbolising a joint pledge towards sustainability and a greener future, in line with the spirit of peacekeeping.

The Ashoka saplings planted in the ‘Peacekeepers Grove’ is in consonance with the national initiative – ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’, symbolising gratitude, care and the nurturing bond that connects humanity and nature, it said.