UNITED NATIONS TROOP CONTRIBUTING COUNTRIES’ CHIEFS CONCLAVE 2025 COMMENCES IN NEW DELHI

Ministry of Defence UNITED NATIONS TROOP CONTRIBUTING COUNTRIES’ CHIEFS CONCLAVE 2025 COMMENCES IN NEW DELHI

Posted On: 14 OCT 2025 7:34PM by PIB Delhi The United Nations Troop Contributing Countries’ (UNTCC) Chiefs Conclave 2025 was formally inaugurated on 14 October 2025 at Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi, marking a landmark moment in international peacekeeping deliberations.

The three-day Conclave, hosted by the Indian Army, has brought together senior military leadership from 32 troop contributing nations, along with senior United Nations officials. Shri Rajnath Singh, the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri, General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff, General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, Chief of the Air Staff, Mr Jean Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations (USG, DPO), Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, the Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations, senior serving officers and Bureaucrats witnessed the inaugural day’s events along with other distinguished invitees to collectively chart the future of global peace operations.

Proceedings of Day One In the Key Note Address, Shri Rajnath Singh, the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri, reaffirmed India’s faith in peacekeeping as an article of belief rooted in its ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and Ahimsa. He lauded the sacrifices of Indian peacekeepers who have served in over 50 missions, emphasising that peacekeeping is not just military duty but a moral commitment to humanity. He called for reforms in global institutions, greater participation of troop-contributing countries in mandate formulation and adoption of technology- driven, people-centred missions. Underscoring India’s leadership in training, innovation, and women’s participation in peacekeeping, he proposed the “4Cs” — Consultation, Cooperation, Coordination and Capacity Building — as guiding principles for future operations. Concluding with a message of global harmony, he urged collective resolve to build a safer, more compassionate and peaceful world.

General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), in his Address, welcomed delegates to the landmark UN TCC Chiefs’ Conclave, recalling his own experience as a peacekeeper in Somalia and underscoring the enduring spirit of solidarity that unites Blue Helmets worldwide. He highlighted India’s legacy of contributing nearly 300,000 peacekeepers to over 50 UN missions and its continued commitment through the Centre for UN Peacekeeping in New Delhi. Acknowledging the changing nature of conflict and the growing role of technology, he called for future-ready peacekeeping marked by innovation, interoperability and adaptability. The Army Chief emphasised the need for missions that balance reduced footprints with greater technological reliance, preventive diplomacy and sustainable peacebuilding, all while upholding neutrality. Stressing cooperation among troop-contributing nations, he urged collective efforts to share best practices, harmonise operational doctrines and build resilient frameworks for peace operations.

Reaffirming India’s ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and Vishwa Bandhu, he concluded that peace must prevail over conflict and compassion must triumph over division.

The gathering was also addressed by Mr Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under Secretary General, Department of Peace Operations (DPO), United Nations, who commended India’s leadership in convening the Conclave.

He emphasised the importance of troop-contributing countries in strengthening the credibility and sustainability of UN missions, particularly in contexts marked by asymmetric threats, complex political environments and humanitarian challenges.Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, addressed the UN TCC Chiefs’ Conclave on “The Future of Peacekeeping: A Perspective on Collective Security,” highlighting India’s historic commitment of nearly 300,000 troops across more than 50 UN missions. He underscored the need to restore peacekeeping to its core purpose through realistic mandates, safety of personnel, adequate resources, gender inclusion, technological innovation and stronger regional cooperation. Stressing India’s “No National Caveat” policy, he called for accountability for crimes against peacekeepers and lauded women’s contributions, citing India’s all-female police contingent in Liberia as a milestone.

Plenary Sessions The day featured three plenary sessions focused on the theme “The Way Ahead for UN Peacekeeping Operations”. Chiefs’ and Representatives of UN TCCs, shared their national perspectives, operational experiences, and recommendations for enhancing mission effectiveness. The speakers collectively called for greater inclusivity in mandate-setting, enhanced interoperability, innovative training methodologies and the responsible use of emerging technologies. Many highlighted the need for mandates to remain realistic, adequately resourced and aligned with local dynamics to ensure peacekeeping remains credible and effective in volatile environments.

Later in the day, Gen Upendra Dwivedi, COAS engaged in a series of bilateral meetings with the Army Chiefs’ of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam at the Manekshaw Centre. A day earlier, Gen Upendra Dwivedi had engaged with Army Chiefs’ of France, Mongolia, Uruguay, Sri Lanka and Bhutan. The COAS in each bilateral meeting, engaged in focused discussions on strengthening defence cooperation and enhancing coordination in future peacekeeping missions. These engagements reinforced the Conclave’s spirit of dialogue, partnership and shared responsibility in promoting global peace and stability. Lt Gen Pushpendra Singh, Vice Chief of the Army Staff also engaged in bilateral meetings with Delegation Heads of Italy and Armenia, reinforcing India’s emphasis on collaborative security, capability development and partnership with friendly foreign countries.

Day One concluded with a reaffirmation of the shared commitment of troop-contributing countries to enhance the credibility, inclusivity and sustainability of UN peacekeeping. The discussions underscored that peacekeeping must remain adaptive, technologically enabled and firmly rooted in the principles of cooperation and collective responsibility.

**** NA/RS (Release ID: 2179086)