Context

• To promote gender inclusivity and enhance the capabilities of women military personnel in peacekeeping operations, the Indian Army has taken a historic initiative in the form of table-top exercises for ASEAN women peacekeepers.

 Key Points

• The Indian Army has conducted a Table-Top Exercise (TTX) for women officers of ASEAN from 4 to 8 December 2023 at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi.
• The exercise is part of the ongoing efforts of the United Nations Peacekeeping Center (CUNPK) to strengthen international cooperation and capacity building in peacekeeping missions.
•   Under this, special attention has been given to empowering women in this field.
• The exercise underlines India's shared commitment towards world peace, stability and gender equality.
• The exercise serves as a platform for participants to simulate and strategize responses to complex peacekeeping scenarios reflecting real-world challenges.
• It also included a demonstration of complex operational peacekeeping environments and methods to ensure women's peace and security.
• The exercise also includes a heritage tour of Delhi to showcase the rich and vibrant culture of India.
• The program also included lectures and demonstrations on UN peacekeeping exercises besides a demonstration of 'Made in India' equipment being deployed in various UN Missions.

United Nations Peacekeeping Center

• CUNPK is a premier institution of the Indian Army providing training in peacekeeping operations.
• The United Nations Peacekeeping Center (CUNPK) had earlier organised the ASEAN Women Military Officers Course from 18 to 29 September 2023.
• This Table-Top Exercise (TTX) is a follow-up exercise to the ongoing joint military training between India and ASEAN member countries.

ASEAN

• ASEAN is a regional organisation of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
• This organisation was established in 1967 and its secretariat is in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia.
• Founding countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.
• It includes ten Southeast Asian countries namely Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

 IMPORTANT FACTS FOR EXAM

United Nations

• Establishment: 1945
• Important organ of the United Nations :United Nations General Assembly
• Headquarters – New York