Officials stated the SML course prepares senior personnel for future roles and tasks as mission leaders in United Nations (UN) peacekeeping operations, together with planning, managing and main UN peacekeeping missions. On completion of the course, the individuals will likely be competent to steer UN peacekeeping missions.

In a letter, Ok Prakasham, Under Secretary (Pers Policy and Welfare), stated the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations (PMI to UN) has knowledgeable concerning the invitation acquired from the Integrated Training Service Division (UNHQ, New York), vide which candidates have been invited for the SML Course. “All the costs associated with the candidate’s participation including travel, visa and daily subsistence allowance has to be borne by the nominating department/organisations/state/UTs. Nomination of eligible and willing officers, one male and one female Police officers of rank of IG/ADG, active in police service,” it acknowledged.

Prakasham has additionally despatched a letter to the director-generals (DGs) of paramilitary forces, the Delhi Police commissioner, and administrators of the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Intelligence Bureau. “Candidates nominated for the course should have a strong interest in potential appointment to a senior leadership position in a United Nations field mission. The SML course is designed to prepare participants to assume roles and responsibilities in a mission’s leadership team, including as Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG), Deputy SRSG, Force Commander, Police Commissioner, Director of Mission Support, or Chief of Staff,” he stated.

“The course is also intended to deepen the understanding of Member State officials of contemporary United Nations peace operations. Former participants subsequently appointed to leadership positions in peacekeeping missions have found the course extremely valuable,” it acknowledged.