India launches 9th UN peacekeeping training for 30 Myanmar officers in Naypyidaw
Synopsis
India has launched its 9th UN peacekeeping training course for Myanmar officers in Naypyidaw — a quiet but consistent diplomatic signal that New Delhi is investing in its neighbour's institutional capacity even as Myanmar navigates deep internal turmoil. With over 2,90,000 Indian peacekeepers deployed across 50-plus UN missions since 1950, this is soft power with a long track record.
Key Takeaways
CUNPK commenced a two-week UN Peacekeeping Operations course for 30 Myanmar officers in Naypyidaw on 11 May 2025 .
This is the 9th India-Myanmar UN peacekeeping training course; the 8th was held in July 2024 .
A three-member training team from CUNPK is conducting the course.
The curriculum covers conflict management , rules of engagement , civilian protection , and operational planning .
India has deployed over 2,90,000 peacekeepers in more than 50 UN Missions since 1950 .
CUNPK is a joint initiative of India's Ministry of External Affairs , Ministry of Defence , and the Armed Forces .
India's New Delhi-based Centre for United Nations Peacekeeping (CUNPK) has commenced a two-week course on UN Peacekeeping Operations for 30 Myanmar officers in the capital Naypyidaw, the Indian Embassy in Myanmar confirmed on Monday, 11 May. This marks the 9th such training course conducted jointly by India and Myanmar, with a three-member training team from CUNPK leading the programme.
Background and Historical Context
The previous — 8th — training capsule was conducted in July 2024, building on seven successful courses held between 2016 and 2019. The resumption and continued expansion of these courses reflects the enduring defence and diplomatic ties between the two neighbouring nations, even amid Myanmar's complex internal political landscape.
What Ambassador Abhay Thakur Said
Ambassador Abhay Thakur, addressing participants at the commencement ceremony, underscored India's role in humanitarian missions contributing to global stability. He described Myanmar as sitting at the confluence of three of India's most important foreign policy priorities: Neighbourhood First, Act East, and the Indo-Pacific vision.
Point of View
New Delhi's continued engagement through institutional capacity-building keeps communication channels open without conferring political legitimacy. The CUNPK courses serve a dual purpose: they advance India's Neighbourhood First and Act East doctrines while quietly reinforcing India's claim as the pre-eminent peacekeeping power in the Indo-Pacific. What mainstream coverage often misses is that this is not charity — it is leverage, carefully maintained.
NationPress
12 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 9th India-Myanmar UN peacekeeping training course?
It is a two-week course on UN Peacekeeping Operations conducted by India's Centre for United Nations Peacekeeping (CUNPK) for 30 Myanmar military officers in Naypyidaw, commencing 11 May 2025. A three-member CUNPK training team is leading the programme.
What does the training curriculum cover?
The curriculum covers graduated escalation and conflict management, rules of engagement, protection of civilians under international humanitarian law, and operational planning within complex peacekeeping environments.
How many such training courses has India conducted with Myanmar?
This is the 9th course. Seven courses were held between 2016 and 2019, the 8th was conducted in July 2024, and the current 9th course began in May 2025.
What is India's overall contribution to UN peacekeeping?
Since 1950, India has deployed over 2,90,000 peacekeepers across more than 50 UN Missions, making it one of the largest troop contributors in the history of UN peacekeeping operations.
Why does India prioritise Myanmar in its peacekeeping diplomacy?
According to Ambassador Abhay Thakur, Myanmar sits at the confluence of three of India's core foreign policy priorities — Neighbourhood First, Act East, and the Indo-Pacific vision — making it a strategically significant partner for sustained engagement.
