Indian Peace Keeping Force
Also called: IPKF · Topic: India's External Relations, 1947-1999: Non-alignment, Wars and Nuclear Policy · NCERT: Class 12, Ch 7 "Regional Aspirations"
Meaning
The Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) was a body of Indian troops sent to Sri Lanka in 1987. It went in at the Sri Lankan government's request under the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord (29 July 1987), signed by Rajiv Gandhi and Jayewardene. Its task was to disarm Tamil militants. Under the same accord, Sri Lanka would share power with its provinces through its 13th Amendment. The IPKF ended up fighting costly battles with the LTTE, a Tamil militant group, and left in March 1990.
Example
India sent the IPKF to help bring peace, but it was drawn into a long fight with the LTTE. Its experience is still studied as a lesson in the risks of sending troops into a neighbour's internal conflict.
Don't confuse with
- Operation Cactus (1988): this was a short, successful Indian operation in the Maldives that foiled a coup. It was not a long peacekeeping mission.
Related concepts
- India-Bhutan Friendship Treaty
- India-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship
- Shastri-Sirimavo Pact
- Katchatheevu agreement
- Indo-Sri Lanka Accord
- Operation Cactus
- Ganga Waters Treaty
- Indira Doctrine
- Gujral Doctrine