Chief of the Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth felicitated women military officers from ASEAN nations participating in the ASEAN-UN Women Military Officers Course (UNWMOC) at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi.
General Seth interacted with 11 women officers from ASEAN countries along with Indian women officers undergoing the course and acknowledged their commitment and contribution towards strengthening the participation of women in United Nations peacekeeping operations.
The ASEAN-UN Women Military Officers Course is being conducted by the Centre for United Nations Peacekeeping (CUNPK), New Delhi, from August 10 to 21, 2026. The specialised programme provides pre-deployment training to military officers preparing for responsibilities associated with UN peacekeeping missions.
During the interaction, the COAS highlighted the importance of increasing the participation of women military personnel in international peacekeeping operations. He recognised the officers’ commitment to contributing to peace and security through multinational missions under the United Nations framework.
The course also provides an important platform for Indian and ASEAN military officers to exchange experiences, develop professional understanding and strengthen cooperation in the field of UN peacekeeping.
The initiative reflects India’s broader engagement with ASEAN in defence cooperation and capacity building. It was announced by the Raksha Mantri at the 3rd India-ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) held in Kuala Lumpur in 2025.
The programme underscores India’s commitment to enhancing the role of women in UN peacekeeping while promoting regional cooperation and professional capacity building among partner nations.
The participation of officers from ASEAN countries alongside Indian military personnel also contributes to strengthening people-to-people and institutional links between the armed forces of India and ASEAN member states.
The UNWMOC is aimed at equipping participating officers with knowledge and skills required for effective deployment in UN peacekeeping environments, while promoting greater representation and leadership of women in international peace and security operations.
The ongoing course at the Manekshaw Centre therefore represents both a professional training initiative and an important element of India’s efforts to support greater women’s participation in UN peacekeeping and deepen defence cooperation with ASEAN countries.
