India has reaffirmed its long-standing policy regarding the deployment of its peacekeeping forces to conflict zones, specifically Ukraine and Gaza. The nation has made it clear that any such deployment will only occur under a United Nations mandate. This position was reiterated on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, by officials within the Indian government.
Vishwesh Negi, an official from the Ministry of External Affairs currently working with the Ministry of Defence, stated that the possibility of sending Indian troops to either Ukraine or Gaza outside of a UN mandate is "highly unlikely". Negi explained that India only participates in missions that have been cleared under the relevant chapters of the UN Charter. He further added that, given the current composition of the UN Security Council (UNSC), obtaining such authorization for deployment is improbable.
Reinforcing this stance, Lieutenant General Rakesh Kapoor, the Deputy Chief of the Indian Army (Information System and Training), told reporters, "We only do it under the UN flag; we understand the legitimacy".
This firm declaration comes in the lead-up to a significant global defense event that India is scheduled to host: the United Nations Troop Contributing Countries' (UNTCC) Chiefs Conclave. This event, set to take place in New Delhi from October 14 to 16, 2025, will bring together Army Chiefs and senior military leaders from approximately 30 nations. The conclave aims to foster a common understanding and collaborative approach to shape the future of peacekeeping operations. Representatives from 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 are expected to attend. Pakistan and China have not been invited.
Lt Gen Kapoor described the UNTCC Chiefs Conclave as a unique platform where the collective experience, wisdom, and commitment of militaries and nations will converge to deliberate the shared responsibility of the international community towards maintaining peace under the UN Charter.
India has a long history of contributing to UN peacekeeping missions. Over the past 75 years, more than 290,000 Indian troops have served in 50 UN missions. Currently, over 5,000 Indian personnel are deployed in nine active missions in some of the world's most challenging conflict zones. A total of 182 Indian peacekeepers have died in action. India was also the first country to send an all-women police contingent to Liberia in 2007.
India's commitment to deploying troops only under a UN mandate underscores its dedication to impartiality and legitimacy in international peacekeeping efforts. This position aligns with its broader foreign policy objectives and its role as a responsible member of the international community.
