Major K P Singh awarded UN Medal at UNFICYP parade in Cyprus
Synopsis
India's peacekeeping legacy got a fresh salute in Nicosia — Major K P Singh of UNFICYP received the UN Medal days after 651 Indian Army personnel were honoured in the DRC. With three Indian Force Commanders in UNFICYP's history, this week's ceremonies are a reminder of how deeply India is woven into the fabric of global UN peacekeeping.
Key Takeaways
Major K P Singh , Staff Officer at UNFICYP , was awarded the United Nations Medal at a parade in Nicosia on 7 July 2025 .
India's High Commissioner to Cyprus, Manish , attended the ceremony hosted by Lt.
Asadullah Minhazul Alam , Force Commander of UN Cyprus.
India has a historic association with UNFICYP, having contributed three Force Commanders: Lt.
Prem Singh Gyani , Gen.
K S Thimayya , and Lt.
On 3 July 2025 , 651 Indian Army personnel under MONUSCO were also awarded the UN Medal at Permanent Operating Base Sake in the DRC .
India remains one of the largest troop-contributing nations to UN peacekeeping missions globally.
India's High Commissioner to Cyprus, Manish, on Monday, 7 July 2025, congratulated Major K P Singh, Staff Officer at the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), on receiving the United Nations Medal in recognition of his service and contribution to the mission. The felicitation came during a ceremonial medal parade at the UN Cyprus Headquarters in Nicosia.
The Medal Parade in Nicosia
The parade was hosted by Lt. Gen. Mohd. Asadullah Minhazul Alam, Force Commander of UN Cyprus, and was attended by Mr Khassim Diagne, Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) and Head of Mission, members of the diplomatic community from troop-contributing countries, UN officials, and their families. High Commissioner Manish represented India at the ceremony.
The High Commission of India in Cyprus confirmed the details of the event on social media platform X, noting that the medal was awarded in recognition of Major Singh's service and contribution to the mission.
India's Historic Ties with UNFICYP
According to the High Commission, India has a long and distinguished tradition of supporting UN peacekeeping operations globally and remains deeply committed to international peace and security. India's connection with UNFICYP is particularly storied — the mission has previously been led by three Indian Force Commanders: Lt. Gen. Prem Singh Gyani, Gen. K S Thimayya, and Lt. Gen. Dewan Prem Chand. Their tenures represent some of the most prominent Indian contributions to multilateral peacekeeping in the post-independence era.
651 Indian Army Personnel Honoured in DRC
Major Singh's recognition follows a larger ceremony held just days earlier. On 3 July 2025, 651 Indian Army personnel serving under the United Nations Organisation Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) were awarded the UN Medal during a parade at the Permanent Operating Base Sake in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The event was attended by senior MONUSCO officials, representatives from the Force Headquarters, military commanders, and distinguished guests. The ceremony formally recognised the Indian contingent's professionalism, operational excellence, and dedicated service during their deployment.
India's Broader Peacekeeping Commitment
India is one of the largest troop-contributing countries to UN peacekeeping missions worldwide. These back-to-back recognitions — in Cyprus and the DRC — underscore the continued operational presence and credibility of Indian military personnel across multiple active UN theatres. As global peacekeeping demands evolve, India's sustained deployment record positions it as a key partner in multilateral security efforts.
Point of View
Coming within days of each other, are not coincidental optics — they reflect India's structural depth in UN peacekeeping. But the real story is the UNFICYP lineage: three Indian Force Commanders is a record few nations can match in a single mission. As India pushes for a permanent UN Security Council seat, this operational credibility is diplomatic currency. The question is whether New Delhi is leveraging it assertively enough in multilateral forums, or letting it remain a footnote in press releases.
NationPress
6 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Major K P Singh and why was he awarded the UN Medal?
Major K P Singh is a Staff Officer serving with the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP). He was awarded the UN Medal on 7 July 2025 at a ceremonial parade in Nicosia in recognition of his service and contribution to the mission.
What is UNFICYP and what is India's role in it?
UNFICYP, the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus, has been operational since 1964 and oversees the buffer zone on the island. India has a historic association with the mission, having provided three Force Commanders — Lt. Gen. Prem Singh Gyani, Gen. K S Thimayya, and Lt. Gen. Dewan Prem Chand.
Who hosted the UNFICYP medal parade in Nicosia?
The parade was hosted by Lt. Gen. Mohd. Asadullah Minhazul Alam, Force Commander of UN Cyprus, and was attended by SRSG Khassim Diagne, diplomatic representatives from troop-contributing countries, and UN officials.
What happened at the MONUSCO ceremony in the DRC on 3 July 2025?
On 3 July 2025, 651 Indian Army personnel serving under MONUSCO were awarded the UN Medal at Permanent Operating Base Sake in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The ceremony recognised their professionalism, operational excellence, and dedicated service to the mission.
How significant is India's contribution to UN peacekeeping?
India is one of the largest troop-contributing countries to UN peacekeeping missions worldwide. Its forces have served across multiple active theatres, and the country's historic leadership roles — including three Force Commanders in UNFICYP alone — reflect decades of sustained multilateral engagement.
