Hybrid warfare, disinformation redefining peacekeeping, warns Army Chief

Days after cautioning Islamabad that India will not show restraint if there is an Operation Sindoor 2.0, Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi Tuesday said that the infusion of disruptive technologies, the growing influence of non-state actors, hybrid warfare, and the scourge of disinformation have blurred the traditional boundaries of conflict.

The CAS was addressing the gathering on the first day of the United Nations Troop Contributing Countries (UNTCC), organised by the Indian Army at Manekshaw Center here.

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Stating that the peacekeeping today faces challenges of unprecedented scale and complexity, the CAS said the global order is almost at an inflection point, marked by over 56 active conflicts and the involvement of nearly 90 nations.

“Shifting geopolitical currents strain the spirit of consensus that underpins cohesive UN action. Such realities demand more resilient, swift, and unified responses that only peacekeepers, working together, can deliver,” he went on to add.

Highlighting the crucial role of peacekeepers, Dwivedi said “we have no choice but to be future ready which may require bold imagination and practical adaptation”.

He noted that reduced financial support for UN missions is likely to be a continuing challenge, compelling operations to be designed with fewer personnel on the ground and greater dependence on technology.

“With reduced numbers on ground, we could also visualize UN peacekeeping moving more towards preventive diplomacy and sustainable peacebuilding, not just an armed presence,” he added, emphasizing that the future of peacekeeping lies in smarter, more adaptive approaches that prioritize long-term stability over short-term control.

“Reduced funding for UN missions will be a reality and thus missions have to be planned with lesser boots on ground and more reliance on tech.” he said.

The Indian Army chief also highlighted that India, as one of the largest contributors to peacekeeping, has sent approximately 300,000 men and women across 51 missions out of the total 71 peacekeeping missions of the UN. “These include our early deployments in Korea (1950) and Congo (1960) to the current deployment in 09 out of 11 ongoing missions,” he said.

Calling for adaptive reforms in UN peacekeeping frameworks, Dwivedi emphasized the need for greater flexibility between Chapter VI and Chapter VII mandates to meet the realities of modern conflict zones.

“Many Chapter VI missions have become increasingly complex, compelling peacekeepers to operate under conditions that often require Chapter VII-like responses,” the CAS noted. He suggested the evolution of operational concepts that allow temporary or situational interchangeability between the two mandates.

“Our tactics, techniques, procedures, and equipment should evolve so that even a Chapter VI mission is effectively ‘Chapter 6½’ in capability,” he said, underscoring the importance of readiness and adaptability on the ground.

Gen Dwivedi also highlighted the need to modernize the structure of UN Headquarters, particularly the functioning of U1 to U9 offices, to enhance efficiency. “The evolution of these offices will lead to delayering, greater transparency, and improved responsiveness of peacekeeping operations.”