India’s Role in Transforming UN Peacekeeping: From Principles to Practice

Abstract

The study evaluates India's essential role in developing multilateral peacekeeping standards within the United Nations framework. The paper begins by discussing India's active participation in peacekeeping missions with its vital global position in the field. India's peacekeeping history dates back to the Suez Crisis and Congo missions. It continues with its present missions in South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, according to the manuscript. The core section of this paper analyses India's positive impact on peacekeeping standards by promoting state sovereignty together with impartiality and operational excellence in challenging conflict regions. This discussion analyses India’s advocacy to advance United Nations peacekeeping reform through its attempts to increase Global South involvement in decision-making bodies and its advocacy for UN process democratization. This research investigates new Indian approaches to peacekeeping through greater troop accountability, gender-inclusive recruitment, and technologically advanced peace operations. It further examines the challenges and criticisms India faces, including limited influence in the UN Security Council and operational constraints in peacekeeping missions. The research uses MONUSCO and UNMISS as case studies to demonstrate tangible Indian peacekeeping initiatives. Finally, the paper concludes by emphasising India’s potential to continue shaping peacekeeping frameworks, particularly through its advocacy for reforms, training initiatives, and enhanced multilateral cooperation with Global South nations.