India–US Peacekeeping Cooperation

Both India and the United States (US) have a long history of supporting the United Nations Peacekeeping Operations (UN PKOs). Over the last two decades, the two countries have significantly expanded cooperation in peacekeeping operations to advance the purposes and principles of UN peacekeeping. In this regard, India and US established a Joint Working Group (JWG) on PKOs to deepen cooperation on peacekeeping issues. They have partnered with African countries to build and enhance the capacity of African troops to help them effectively participate in the UN PKOs. They have institutionalised bilateral cooperation through various joint statements and agreements and trained troops through simulation of UN PKOs during joint military exercises. They have also launched triangular development partnerships in Africa and Asia. Importantly, the world is confronting new challenges to international peace and security with ever-increasing geopolitical and geostrategic rivalry between the great powers, especially between the US and China. Squabble between P-5 members have led to indecision on global issues and the decisionmaking process with regard to peacekeeping mandates have become more challenging today than ever before. Meanwhile, China has scaled up its peacekeeping role by increasing financial and troop contributions to the UN PKOs. The ensuing developments offer new opportunities as well as challenges to India and the US for strengthening and deepening their peacekeeping cooperation. This article analyses and examines the evolving India–US peacekeeping cooperation, various challenges that they face in further enhancing bilateral cooperation, and prospects for future cooperation. It argues that a strong India–US strategic partnership and their increasing cooperation on peacekeeping as well as on a wide range of global issues, including health, food security, climate change.