AI Generated Summary
- Observed annually on May 29, the International Day of UN Peacekeepers pays tribute to the thousands of military, police and civilian personnel serving in peace operations worldwide, while remembering those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the cause of peace.
- Lieutenant General Vipul Shinghal, Deputy Chief of the Army Staff, led tributes at the National War Memorial in New Delhi, where he laid a wreath in honour of Indian peacekeepers who lost their lives during UN assignments.
- Lance Havildar Harbhajan Singh was deployed with the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), while Naib Subedar Sujit Kumar Pradhan served with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
Two Indian Army personnel who lost their lives while serving in United Nations peacekeeping missions were posthumously honoured on Thursday as the world observed the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers.
The United Nations awarded the prestigious Dag Hammarskjöld Medal to Lance Havildar Harbhajan Singh and Naib Subedar Sujit Kumar Pradhan in recognition of their courage and sacrifice while serving under the UN flag. The medals were presented by UN Secretary-General António Guterres during a ceremony commemorating peacekeepers who laid down their lives in conflict zones across the globe.
Lance Havildar Harbhajan Singh was deployed with the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), while Naib Subedar Sujit Kumar Pradhan served with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). Both soldiers were remembered for their dedication to maintaining peace and stability in regions affected by conflict.
India also earned global recognition through Major Abhilasha Barak, who received the 2025 Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award. Serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), Major Barak was honoured for her efforts to engage with local women and girls and promote greater inclusion in peacebuilding initiatives.
Observed annually on May 29, the International Day of UN Peacekeepers pays tribute to the thousands of military, police and civilian personnel serving in peace operations worldwide, while remembering those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the cause of peace.
In India, the occasion was marked by a series of commemorative events in the national capital. Lieutenant General Vipul Shinghal, Deputy Chief of the Army Staff, led tributes at the National War Memorial in New Delhi, where he laid a wreath in honour of Indian peacekeepers who lost their lives during UN assignments.
The day’s observances also included a high-level discussion on the future of global peacekeeping operations at the Manekshaw Centre. The event brought together senior military leaders, diplomats, strategic experts and academics to deliberate on emerging security challenges, evolving peacekeeping requirements and India’s longstanding contribution to UN missions.
India remains one of the largest contributors to United Nations peacekeeping operations and has played a pivotal role in several missions across Africa, Asia and the Middle East. The honours conferred on Indian personnel this year underscore the country’s enduring commitment to international peace and security.
