India - hailed among the largest troop-contributing countries to the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping missions, has marked history once again by deploying an all-women platoon of peacekeepers in Abyei, Sudan. The battalion will be stationed in the hostile Abyei area of the Sudan-South Sudan border, as assigned by the United Nations Interim Security Force.

The contingent has 25 women soldiers from the Corps of Military Police (CMP) and the Assam Rifles, senior Defence officials familiar with the matter said. The CMP is the only arm of the Army which was opened for recruitment of women soldiers in 2021.

The Indian contingent will form part of an Engagement platoon and specialize in Community outreach, though they will be performing extensive security-related tasks as well, added the release. A statement from the nation's Permanent Mission to the UN said the contingent - to consist of two officers and 25 soldiers of various ranks - will be the 'largest single unit of women Peacekeepers (attached to) a UN mission since... the first-ever all women's contingent in Liberia in 2007'.

"It will also herald India's intent of increasing significantly the number of Indian women in peacekeeping contingents..."

"Women peacekeepers are highly regarded in peacekeeping missions throughout the world for their ability to connect with women and children in local populations, especially victims of sexual violence in conflict zones." Ruchira Kamboj, India's permanent representative to the UN in New York tweeted an image of the platoon in fatigues with the trademark sky-blue berets.

"This is the single largest deployment of women peacekeepers in recent years. Good wishes to the team!" she wrote with the photo. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the move, saying he is proud of the development. He said India has a tradition of active participation in UN peacekeeping missions. “The participation by our Nari Shakti is even more gladdening,” he said on Twitter.

India is the second-largest contributor to UN missions with nearly 6,000 personnel, according to news agency PTI. Overall, more than two lakh Indians have served in 49 of the UN's 71 peacekeeping missions that have been established around the world since 1948.

Image source: Twitter