The United Nations has officially recognized 651 Indian Army personnel by awarding them the prestigious United Nations Medal for their outstanding service in the conflict-hit Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The medals were presented during a ceremonial parade on July 3, 2026, at the Permanent Operating Base Sake in eastern DRC.
The honoured personnel are serving under the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO).
The contingent was highly commended by senior UN officials for its unwavering commitment, operational excellence, and core discipline in one of the world’s most volatile conflict zones.
Indian peacekeepers have been vital in shielding local civilians, defending vulnerable communities, coordinating regional security, and executing critical humanitarian assistance projects.
This recognition underscores India’s deep, historical role as a leading troop-contributing country to global security.
India is the second-largest global provider of active uniformed personnel to UN missions, with more than 4,000 personnel deployed internationally.
Over 270,000 Indian troops have served in 49 distinct missions since the 1950s, though it has cost nearly 180 Indian lives, marking the highest casualty count for any contributing country.
