565 Indian Peacekeepers Honoured by UN in South Sudan for Service and Sacrifice

More than 550 Indian peacekeepers , including 53 women , serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) have been awarded the UN Medal of Honour in recognition of their dedication to protecting civilians and supporting peacebuilding efforts in the conflict-affected nation.

A total of 565 Indian Blue Helmets and 464 Rwandan peacekeepers received the medals during a ceremony in Malakal, a strategic river city in South Sudan's Upper Nile State and a key hub for UN humanitarian and peacekeeping operations . The peacekeepers were recognised for their work in civilian protection, community engagement, humanitarian assistance, veterinary outreach, women's self-defence training, and efforts to combat gender-based violence.

UNMISS Force Commander Major-General Junhui Wu praised the recipients, stating that the medals honour the courage, resilience, discipline, and teamwork demonstrated by peacekeepers operating in challenging environments.

Congratulating the contingent, India's Permanent Mission to the United Nations said Indian peacekeepers have consistently upheld the highest standards of professionalism in every area of operation.

The recognition underscores India's enduring contribution to UN peacekeeping missions across conflict zones worldwide . India is currently the second-largest contributor of uniformed personnel to UN peacekeeping operations, with more than 4,200 military and police personnel , including 155 women, deployed across missions in South Sudan, Lebanon, Congo, Somalia, Cyprus, Abyei, the Central African Republic, the Middle East, and Western Sahara.

India's commitment has come at a significant cost, with nearly 180 Indian peacekeepers losing their lives in the line of duty , the highest among troop-contributing nations.

In a separate honour, Major Abhilasha Barak , serving with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) , was named the 2025 Military Gender Advocate of the Year for her outstanding efforts to advance gender equality and engage with women and girls in local communities during her deployment. The award, presented by the United Nations, recognises peacekeepers who promote the meaningful participation of women in peace and security initiatives, further highlighting India's growing leadership and impact in global peacekeeping efforts .