This article covers India's development and security cooperation with Lebanon: the Indian battalion serving with UN peacekeepers, Quick Impact Projects, humanitarian assistance, training under ITEC, and cooperation in health, solar energy and elections. The source is the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) bilateral brief of July 2026, and quantities and dates are given as that brief records them.

The Indian battalion in UNIFIL

According to the MEA brief of July 2026, an Indian Army battalion (INDBATT) has been deployed in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) since November 1998, performing peacekeeping duties in South Lebanon. The INDBATT contingent currently consists of 600 personnel.

The brief states that INDBATT personnel are highly regarded for their sincere outreach to the local community, and that the Battalion has undertaken a number of projects in southern Lebanon. Shri MM Pallam Raju, Minister of State for Defence, paid a 3-day visit to Lebanon from 10-12 September 2008 to meet the Indian peacekeepers.

On 14 July 2026, Col. Prasoon Singh, SM, of the 5 RAJPUT regiment formally assumed charge as the Contingent Commander (CONTICO) for INDBATT XXVII. He took over from Col. N. Gladson, who had held the charge since 28 June 2025.

Quick Impact Projects

The brief lists the following Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) of recent years. The Indian battalion at UNIFIL, working with local municipalities, implemented these:

  • Provision of a generator set at Burghuz village in South Lebanon (1/2019-20)
  • Upgradation of the Sardar Patel Complex for sports and culture at Kawkaba village (2/2019-20)
  • Renovation of Mahatma Gandhi Park at Eblel Saqi municipality (3/2019-20)
  • A hangar for a new garbage dump and a garbage pressing machine at Kafar Chouba village (1/2020-21)
  • Construction and furnishing of a Red Cross building in Chebaa village (2/2020-21)

With the Shouf Biosphere Reserve (SBR) as implementing agency, a reception cabin was built and furnished at the Mrusti al Shouf entrance of the Reserve (1/2021-22), and reforestation of one hectare within the SBR was supported with the planting of 800 small seedlings (2/2021-22). A 180KVA generator set was provided for the electricity supply of the building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants (1/2023).

Five further QIPs (5/2025) are under implementation by the Indian battalion with local municipalities. They cover solar panels for the villages of Halta and Dharjat, computer training labs for El Fardiss, water pumps for homes in Rachaya Al Foukhar and Kaffar Couba, upgraded community hall seating in Halta, and garbage bins for El Fardiss and El Hebbariye.

Two QIP MoUs were signed in 2025. One, with the Ministry of Youth & Sports on 21 January 2025, covers the reconstruction of two mini-stadiums for sports facilities at Nabatieh and Bekaa. The other, with the Ministry of Health on 26 November 2025, covers the renovation of Qana Government Hospital.

Humanitarian assistance

The brief records the following assistance from India:

  • $ 1 million as part of India's commitments at the Pledging Conferences on Syria held in Kuwait in 2014 and 2015: $500,000 in 2014 to the Lebanon Humanitarian Fund and $500,000 in 2016 to the Lebanon Response Fund
  • 58 MT of medical, food and relief supplies, provided on August 14, 2020, after the explosions at Beirut Port on August 4, 2020
  • a donation of office equipment to the Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 22 December 2020
  • 05 motorbikes each to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Beirut Governorate, during the visit of Dr. Ausaf Sayeed, Secretary (CPV&OIA), in October 2022
  • a 45KVA generator set for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in December 2022
  • a Jaipur Foot Artificial Limb Fitment camp at the Rafik Hariri University Hospital, Beirut, from 26 January to 15 February 2023, at which 322 artificial limbs were fitted to 294 persons
  • 33 tons of medicines, including cardiovascular medications, NSAIDs, anti-inflammatory agents, antibiotics and anaesthetics, in October 2024; Health Minister Dr. Firas Abiad received the 1st consignment on 24 October 2024

The brief adds that a consignment of essential medicines is scheduled to be sent by India to Lebanon shortly.

ITEC training

The brief states that the Indian Technical & Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme has been popular in Lebanon since its inception in 1964. India offers 75 slots to Lebanon for training programmes under ITEC, and Defence ITEC slots are offered every year. The Embassy of India, Beirut organised ITEC Days on 15 September 2025, attended by senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigration, the Lebanese Armed Forces, other Government officials and ITEC alumni.

Health, energy and elections

Two senior officials from Lebanon's Ministry of Health visited India from 19-21 August 2024 to discuss the recognition of the Indian Pharmacopoeia and the adoption of the Janaushadhi Scheme in Lebanon. Lebanon signed the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Framework Agreement on 27 August 2024.

On 11 December 2025, the Embassy hosted a seminar on "India's electoral system and the role of technology, including EVMs", with a presentation by Shri Maneesh Garg, Senior Deputy Election Commissioner of the ECI.