Indian Army Contingent part of UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan awarded

The Indian Army contingent comprising of 7 Garhwal Rifles Infantry Battalion Group was awarded United Nations Medal for “selfless service”. The contingent is part of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) in South Sudan. It has been complimented for carrying out numerous operational tasks with utmost professionalism and dedication to the UN mandate. It has played an active and decisive role in ensuring peace and stability in violence hit Jonglei State of South Sudan.

Background

South Sudan had gained independence from Sudan in 2011, making it the newest nation in the world. Civil war had broken out in infant nation in 2013. The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) is newest UN Peacekeeping Mission. India, with 2,237 troops, is the highest contributor in terms of troops to UNMISS. In addition to India, 53 nations from around the world have contributed troops to the peacekeeping mission.

India and UN Peacekeeping

The Indian Army is the largest cumulative troop contributor to United Nations Peacekeeping Missions mandated to maintain stability and negotiate peace settlement in turbulent regions of the world. So far India has provided almost 200,000 troops in nearly 50 of the 71 UN peacekeeping missions over the past six decades, including 14 of the current 16 missions. Last year, 7,606 Indian peacekeepers were deployed in UN missions.

Month: Current Affairs - June, 2018