India Opting Out Of Peacekeeping Roles In Ukraine, Gaza? New Delhi Says UN Mandate Must, Cites Parameters
Around a month after US President Donald Trump promised aid to Ukraine after peace deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin failed, India has ruled out deploying troops beyond United Nations-mandated missions. The development comes on the back of growing calls from Europe for a larger Indian role in ending global conflicts like the Ukraine war.
Worth noting here is that US President has long accused New Delhi of supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine, by continuing to buy oil from Moscow. However, India has always maintained that it continued to do so in global favour, by helping keep the oil prices down. Now, it has rejected any peacekeeping roles outside the UN madates.
Vishwesh Negi, Joint Secretary for International Cooperation in the Ministry of Defence, made the position clear at a press briefing in New Delhi ahead of a major UN peacekeeping conclave.
No Indian troops for any global conflicts?
“The government of India is very clear. Peacekeeping forces will only be deployed through the UN, in particular the United Nations Security Council. It is unlikely that we would see Indian peacekeeping forces deployed outside of the UN,” Negi said.
His statement came after several European leaders, including Finland’s President Alexander Stubb, recently urged India to contribute to peace initiatives in Ukraine, but New Delhi’s stance shuts the door on participation in any ad hoc or coalition-based missions. The war between Ukraine and Russia has been going on for around 3 years now.
What role does India envision within UN peacekeeping structures?
Negi emphasised that India intends to shape the global peacekeeping agenda from within the UN framework. From 14 to 16 October, New Delhi will host the United Nations Troop Contributing Countries’ Chiefs Conclave (UNTCC), bringing together senior military leaders from over 30 nations.
“The conclave will see chiefs from at least 30 countries in attendance, taking part in the dialogue,” Negi said. The focus will be on cooperation, use of indigenous technologies, inclusivity, and positioning India as a trusted partner in multilateral peace efforts.
Expected participants include representatives from France, Bangladesh, Armenia, Brazil, Kenya, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and others.
How does India justify its UN-only deployment policy?
Lt Gen Rakesh Kapoor, Deputy Chief of Armed Staff, underscored the importance New Delhi places on international legitimacy. “India understands the legitimacy of missions under the flag of the UN and therefore would deploy troops only under its flag,” he said. India is one of the largest historic contributors to UN peacekeeping and is seeking to leverage that legacy rather than join independently formed multinational forces.
Suggestions by some European leaders that Indian troops could join a post-conflict stabilisation effort in Ukraine have effectively been dismissed. In Paris last month, European officials even discussed forming a “coalition of the willing” to enforce peace if hostilities pause, an idea that some floated for India’s involvement.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said any peacekeeping deployment must follow a cessation of conflict, but Negi’s statement signals no scope for Indian participation outside a UN mandate.
Could India join peace missions through BRICS or the SCO?
When asked whether India might consider deployments through groupings like BRICS or the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, Negi did not rule out broader collaboration but reiterated that any participation hinges on impartiality and legitimacy. “There are parameters by which we look at our participation in international organisations,” he stated.
As long as there is no biased agenda behind any cooperation, India may be willing to contribute.
How is India positioning its defence capabilities in UN missions?
Lt Gen Kapoor highlighted India’s growing defence self-reliance and export ambitions through peacekeeping. “All our UN contingents are using majorly indigenous weapons. Over 1600 pieces of indigenous weaponry have been used. Other countries are now interested in our weaponry, and we are keen to collaborate,” he said.
India’s emphasis on indigenous technology adds a strategic layer to its peacekeeping diplomacy.
What about other global conflicts like Gaza?
US President Donald Trump this week announced a 20-point plan for ending the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, which includes creating an International Stabilisation Force coordinated with Arab nations. Negi’s remarks indicate India would not join such a force unless it were UN-mandated.
Negi maintained that India remains open to collaboration on global security but only through neutral, internationally backed mechanisms.
