The book derives its title from the motto chosen for independent India's first UN peacekeeping operation, the Custodian Force in Korea, 1953-54. Ever since gaining Independence in 1947, India's unreserved participation in UN and regional peacekeeping operations has been both spontaneous and enthusiastic. To date, about 100,000 Indian personnel have served in 43 such operations including all operations undertaken in Africa. The fact that, as of 31 March 2009, 130 Indian peacekeepers have given their lives in UN peacekeeping operations alone, underlines more than anything else the Indian commitment to the primary objective set out in the UN Charter, viz., to 'maintain international peace and security'. Indian peacekeeping participation has evolved from its idealistic origins during the Nehruvian era to the present where it is inextricably linked to the furtherance of India's national security interests.
This book provides a comprehensive insight into the history of India's involvement with peacekeeping operations from its tentative beginnings in Korea in 1950, through the non-aligned phase of Indian foreign policy in Indo-China and Gaza, to the heavy employment of the post-Cold War period. Apart from regular UN peacekeeping operations, missions such as the Indian Custodian Force in Korea which functioned under the Neutral Nations Registration Commission, of which India was Chairman; and the International Commissions of Supervision and Control in Indo-China are also covered, as is the employment of Indian military observers and staff officers, and civilian police agencies on UN peacekeeping missions. Senior Indian leadership involved with UN peacekeeping operations and Indian involvement in regional peacekeeping missions in Sri Lanka and the Maldives, have been broadly dealt with in separate sections. The new book rounds off with a section on how the enormous experience garnered by Indian peacekeepers is harnessed for training and preparation of future generations both at home and abroad. Finally, a section is devoted to distilling thoughts about the challenges facing India in the arena of international peacekeeping in the years to come.
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