Shanti Prayas IV in Nepal

Shanti Prayas IV, the fourth edition of a major multinational military peacekeeping exercise, officially began on February 20, 2024, in Kathmandu, Nepal. Co-organized by the Nepali Army and the United States Indo-Pacific Command, Shanti Prayas IV aims to enhance peacekeeping training and operational readiness in line with United Nations protocols.

The opening ceremony of Shanti Prayas IV was attended by the Prime Minister of Nepal, Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, who emphasized Nepal’s global peacekeeping contributions and its ongoing role as a committed UN partner. With more than 175,000 troops deployed in UN peace missions, Nepal is among the top troop-contributing countries in the world.

Participating Countries in Shanti Prayas IV

Shanti Prayas IV includes military participants from 19 countries, highlighting its truly global nature. The countries involved are:
Nepal, USA, India, UK, China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Japan, Canada, Brazil, Maldives, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Rwanda, Ukraine, Fiji, and Algeria.

These countries represent both established contributors to UN missions and those preparing to expand their peacekeeping roles.

Core Objectives of Shanti Prayas IV

The central goal of Shanti Prayas IV is to strengthen the coordination, readiness, and interoperability of armed forces earmarked for UN peacekeeping missions. The training program covers the following critical areas:

• UN peacekeeping guidelines and conduct standards

• Protection of Civilians (POC) and gender-sensitive practices

• Counter-IED training and camp security tactics

• Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) threat mitigation

• Quick-reaction drills and rescue operations

• Peacebuilding and conflict de-escalation strategies

Shanti Prayas IV also focuses on overcoming operational challenges such as language barriers, varying national capabilities, and inter-agency coordination, helping participating forces work more effectively in real UN missions.

Strategic Value of Shanti Prayas IV

By offering a realistic, collaborative training environment, Shanti Prayas IV directly supports UN peacekeeping goals. It ensures that all participants are familiar with UN Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), better prepared for deployment, and mentally and physically resilient in demanding environments.

Nepal’s role in hosting Shanti Prayas IV further cements its legacy as a pillar of peacekeeping. The country’s peacekeeping troops are widely recognized for their discipline, dedication, and effectiveness in volatile zones.

Final Thoughts

Shanti Prayas IV serves as a powerful symbol of international unity and peacebuilding. As global conflict zones grow more complex, collaborative efforts like this are essential for ensuring that peacekeepers are well-trained, well-coordinated, and ethically aligned.

The exercise underscores the shared commitment of 19 nations to uphold humanitarian principles, respond to fragile security situations, and reinforce the importance of collective responsibility. Through Shanti Prayas IV, the global community takes another strong step toward a safer, more peaceful world.