The head of the UN peacekeeping operation is visiting India, one of the largest troop contributors to its operations.
Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, will visit India, the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan and Japan. The multi-country tour begins Thursday and runs through October 15.

In New Delhi, Lacroix will participate in a two-day meeting organised by the Challenge Forum, which brings together key policymakers, practitioners and scholars on discussions related to peace operations. The head of the UN peacekeeping operation will travel to Abu Dhabi, Islamabad and Tokyo.

Dujarric said that the purpose of Lacroix’s visit was to thank all countries for their contributions and support to UN peacekeeping operations and to inform them of the progress made in improving peacekeeping efficiency. During this time, Lacroix will meet with senior government officials.

According to the Challenge Forum website, the CAF22 event will “bring together partners and key stakeholders” on October 6-7 to “discuss how future peace operations can remain relevant in a world of increasing geopolitical friction”.

CAF22 will be co-hosted by the organisation’s Indian partner, United Services India (USI). Under the general theme of “The Future of Peace Operations”, the forum’s three sub-themes are “Preventive Deployment Sites in Diplomacy”, “Protection of Civilians in Peace Operations”, and “Protection of the Protector”.

India is one of the largest troop and police contributors to UN peacekeeping operations, with more than 5,700 Indian peacekeepers currently deployed in 9 of the 12 UN peacekeeping operations.

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Since 1950, India has cumulatively deployed over 260,000 troops for these missions. Over the years, 177 Indian peacekeepers have made the greatest sacrifice, the highest of any troop-contributing country.