India to host UN peacekeeping conclave, excludes Pakistan, China

India will host a high-level conclave of army chiefs from more than 30 nations contributing troops to United Nations peacekeeping missions, scheduled for October 14–16 in New Delhi. 

The gathering, announced by Army Deputy Chief (Information Systems and Training) Lieutenant-General Rakesh Kapoor, is intended to provide a unique platform to strengthen dialogue, cooperation and mutual understanding among UN troop-contributing countries, to promote “a stable international order”, Caliber.Az reports per Indian media.

Officials emphasised that India’s longstanding policy remains unchanged: Indian soldiers are deployed overseas only under a clear UN Security Council mandate and strictly under the UN flag.

“It’s the Government of India’s stated policy that we deploy our troops overseas only under the UN flag… we understand the legitimacy,” Lt-Gen Kapoor said.

Asked about the possibility of Indian participation in future missions in conflict zones such as Ukraine or Gaza, Defence Ministry Joint Secretary (International Cooperation) Vishwesh Negi dismissed the likelihood. He noted that deployment in such theatres would require UNSC consensus, something “highly unlikely given the composition of the Council’s permanent members.”

India has been one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping operations since the 1950s. Over the past 75 years, it has deployed more than 290,000 personnel across 50 UN missions, with 182 Indian peacekeepers losing their lives in the line of duty.

Countries confirmed to attend the October conclave include Algeria, Armenia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brazil, Burundi, Cambodia, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Fiji, France, Ghana, Indonesia, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mongolia, Morocco, Nepal, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Uganda, Uruguay, Vietnam, Rwanda and Senegal.

Notably, Pakistan and China have not been invited to the conclave, underscoring India’s strained relations with both neighbours despite their status as major troop contributors to UN peacekeeping operations.

By Aghakazim Guliyev