More than 550 Indian peacekeepers, including 53 women personnel serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), have been honoured for their exemplary service, dedication, and commitment to protecting civilians and advancing peacebuilding efforts in the conflict-hit African nation.
According to UNMISS, a total of 565 Indian Blue Helmets and 464 peacekeepers from Rwanda were awarded the prestigious UN Medal of Honour during a ceremony held in the city of Malakal, South Sudan. Among the Indian contingent recognised for their service were 53 women peacekeepers.
The term “Blue Helmets” refers to military personnel, police officers, and civilian experts deployed under United Nations peacekeeping operations across the world. These personnel work in some of the most challenging environments, helping maintain stability, protect vulnerable communities, and support peace processes.
The Indian and Rwandan peacekeepers were recognised for a wide range of contributions, including conducting patrols to protect civilians, engaging with local communities, organising veterinary outreach camps, providing self-defence training for women, combating gender-based violence, and improving humanitarian access in remote and conflict-affected regions.
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Speaking at the ceremony, UNMISS Force Commander Major-General Junhui Wu praised the dedication of the peacekeepers and highlighted the significance of their work under difficult conditions.
“Every medal awarded today recognises the courage, resilience, and professionalism of our peacekeepers. Their commitment reflects the highest standards of discipline, operational effectiveness, and teamwork while serving in a demanding and often challenging environment,” he said. Reacting to the recognition, the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations congratulated the Indian contingent and acknowledged their outstanding contribution to global peacekeeping efforts.
In a post on social media, the mission said Indian Blue Helmets have consistently demonstrated the highest levels of professionalism and dedication across all areas of their deployment.
India remains one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping operations worldwide. It is currently the second-largest provider of uniformed personnel after Nepal, with more than 4,200 military and police personnel deployed across various UN missions. The Indian contingent includes over 155 women serving in operations in Abyei, the Central African Republic, Cyprus, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lebanon, the Middle East, Somalia, South Sudan, and Western Sahara.
India’s contribution to UN peacekeeping has come at a significant cost. Nearly 180 Indian peacekeepers have lost their lives while serving under the UN flag, the highest number among all troop-contributing nations.
The recognition comes shortly after the United Nations marked the International Day of UN Peacekeepers. On that occasion, Lance Havildar Harbhajan Singh, who served with the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), and Naib Subedar Sujit Kumar Pradhan, who served with UNMISS, were posthumously awarded the prestigious Dag Hammarskjold Medal in honour of their sacrifice in the line of duty.
The Dag Hammarskjold Medal is the highest official honour conferred by the United Nations and is awarded posthumously to military, police, and civilian personnel who lose their lives while serving in UN peacekeeping missions.
In another significant recognition for India, Major Abhilasha Barak was named the recipient of the 2025 Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award. Serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), Barak was honoured for her efforts in engaging with and supporting women and girls in local communities during her deployment.
Major Barak currently serves with the Indian Battalion as the Commander of the Female Engagement Team in UNIFIL. She is also recognised as the first woman combat helicopter pilot in the Indian Army, making her achievement a notable milestone both for India and for women serving in peacekeeping operations worldwide.
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