'Proud To See This': PM Modi Applauds As Army Deploys Its Largest Women Peacekeeping Contingent At UN Mission
PM Modi expressed happiness as the Indian Army sent its largest deployment of women peacekeepers to the United Nations mission in Abyei, UNISFA.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday expressed his delight that the Indian Army has deployed its largest contingent of women peacekeepers to a United Nations mission.
"Proud to see this. India has a tradition of active participation in UN peacekeeping missions. The participation by our Nari Shakti (women power) is even more gladdening "In a tweet, the prime minister stated.
Proud to see this.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 6, 2023
India has a tradition of active participation in UN peacekeeping missions. The participation by our Nari Shakti is even more gladdening. https://t.co/dcJKLuvldF
He was responding to a tweet from the Army that said: "Indian Army deploys its largest contingent of women peacekeepers in United Nations mission at Abyei, UNISFA. The team will provide relief and assistance to women and children in one of the highest operational and challenging terrain conditions under the UN flag."
As part of the Indian Battalion in the United Nations Interim Security Force, India has deployed a battalion of women peacekeepers in Sudan's Abyei region today (UNISFA).
About India's Largest Contingent Of Women Peacekeepers At UN Mission:
According to a press release issued by India's Permanent Mission to the United Nations, this is the largest single unit of women Peacekeepers deployed by India in a UN Mission since it deployed the first-ever all-women contingent in Liberia in 2007.
India was the first country to send an all-women contingent to a UN peacekeeping deployment in 2007. The Formed Police Unit in Liberia performed 24-hour guard duty, and night patrols in Monrovia, and assisted in the capacity building of the Liberian police.
The Indian contingent, which includes two officers and 25 other ranks, will be part of an Engagement platoon that will specialise in community outreach while also executing extensive security-related activities, according to the release.
Their presence would be especially appreciated in Abyei, where a recent surge in violence has prompted a slew of difficult humanitarian concerns for women and children living in the conflict zone.
The deployment in Abyei will also convey India's intention to considerably increase the number of Indian women in peacekeeping contingents, according to the statement.
The Security Council established the UNISFA in response to the urgent circumstances in Sudan's Abyei area in its resolution 1990 of June 27, 2011. The Security Council was profoundly concerned about the rising violence, tensions, and population displacement.
The mission has been entrusted with monitoring the flashpoint border between north and south and facilitating humanitarian assistance delivery, and it has been given the authority to use force to protect civilians and humanitarian workers in Abyei.
The foundation of UNISFA followed an agreement in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) to demilitarise Abyei and allow Ethiopian forces to monitor the area.
Since 1948, over 200,000 Indians have served in 49 of the 71 UN peacekeeping missions established across the world.
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