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India has decided not to invite the Pakistan Army and China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to the upcoming United Nations Troop Contributor Chiefs Conclave, scheduled for October this year. It marks the first time India will host the high-level gathering, which is set to bring together military Chiefs from major UN peacekeeping contributor nations.
According to defence sources, the exclusion of Pakistan and China stems from deep-rooted national security concerns and strained military relations with both countries.
Pakistan Omitted Over Terror Links and Pahalgam Attack
Pakistan’s exclusion is linked to its military and intelligence establishment’s continued support for cross-border terrorism, most notably the April 22 Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir. The assault was carried out by ‘The Resistance Front’ (TRF), a proxy of the banned terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), allegedly acting on the instructions of Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir.
Indian defence sources have confirmed that conclusive intelligence pointed to the direct involvement of the Pakistani Army and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) in planning and supporting the attack. In response, the Indian Army has decided to suspend all military-to-military engagement with Pakistan. Consequently, General Asim Munir has not been invited to the conclave, despite Pakistan being a major troop contributor to UN peacekeeping operations.
While Indian and Pakistani troops continue to serve in several joint UN missions globally, Indian officials argue that engaging with a military establishment accused of sponsoring terrorism contradicts both strategic imperatives and moral responsibility.
China Excluded Amid Prolonged Border Standoff
China’s PLA has also been left out of the Delhi conclave, amid continuing military tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh. Despite several rounds of disengagement talks since the 2020 standoff began, trust between the two militaries remains fragile.
Indian defence officials point to China’s persistent assertiveness along the LAC and its close military-intelligence cooperation with Pakistan — including during India’s counter-terrorism Operation Sindoor — as factors contributing to the decision. Until substantial de-escalation and confidence-building measures are achieved, India is unlikely to invite the PLA to multilateral defence engagements it hosts.
Showcasing India’s UN Commitment and Defence Capability
The UN Troop Contributor Chiefs Conclave is intended to foster dialogue and coordination among top military contributors to UN peacekeeping missions. Currently, there are 11 active peacekeeping operations worldwide involving troops from over 120 nations.
India remains one of the largest and most consistent contributors to UN peacekeeping, with nearly 5,000 personnel deployed across nine missions, including in volatile regions such as Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Golan Heights.
As part of the conclave, visiting military Chiefs will also travel to the Thar Desert in Rajasthan to witness a live integrated firepower demonstration. The exercise will highlight India’s indigenous defence capabilities, showcasing domestically produced tanks, artillery systems, and advanced weaponry, underlining the country’s growing focus on self-reliance and strategic deterrence.
Team BharatShakti
