India gifts five peacocks to UN Geneva, hailed as 'beautiful gesture'

Five peacocks gifted by India have arrived at UN Geneva's Ariana Park, a gesture hailed as a beautiful partnership. The birds, 4 blue and 1 white, replenish the local population and continue a long-standing diplomatic tradition.

The official account of the United Nations in Geneva shared stunning visuals of the five peacocks gifted by India, which arrived at the UN Geneva with the hashtag 'Photo of the week'. In a post on X, UN Geneva termed it a "beautiful gesture' and said, "#PhotoOfTheWeek: Five peacocks arrived at Ariana Park at UN Geneva, thanks to @IndiaUNGeneva: a beautiful gesture tied to India's national bird, continuing a century-old tradition." #PhotoOfTheWeek: 🦚🇮🇳 Five peacocks arrived the Ariana Park at UN Geneva, thanks to @IndiaUNGeneva: a beautiful gesture tied to India's national bird, continuing a century-old tradition. Follow us on Instagram for regular 🦚🦚🦚🦚🦚 updates: https://t.co/PW8l3OAXvw pic.twitter.com/oZhE8GIXgK — United Nations Geneva (@UNGeneva) August 9, 2026

The United Nations Geneva has welcomed five young peacocks, a gift from India, to its grounds at the Palace of Nations, continuing a long-standing tradition at the site. The Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations, New York, hailed the gift as "another dimension of partnership" between India and the UN. "Another dimension of partnership: gifts young peacocks to @UNGeneva. As the national bird, peacocks have a special place in the heart of every Indian," the Mission wrote on X.

A Diplomatic Gesture

Welcoming the gift, the UN Geneva wrote, "Move over, panda diplomacy: five young peacocks have arrived at @UNGeneva, a gift from India continuing a tradition older than the UN itself. Meet the newest (and most dazzling) diplomats in Geneva."

Replenishing a Century-Old Tradition

The strategic move to introduce four blue peacocks and one rare white male aims to replenish the grounds' peafowl population, which had dwindled to just a single surviving bird. The new arrivals are currently housed in a temporary, spacious aviary in Ariana Park to acclimate to their surroundings before being granted free rein of the estate, according to UN News.

Continuing a Historic Bond

Reflecting on the event, UN Geneva Director-General Tatiana Valovaya stated, "We are very happy to welcome five new peacocks, four blue, one white in typical United Nations colours: blue and white. And we have created a temporary house for them. They will stay here for the next three months...and then they will be allowed to move freely and enjoy the hospitality of the Ariana Park."

This donation marks a continuation of diplomatic history between the UN and India, mirroring a 1981 gesture when then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi sent a breeding pair to Geneva, UN News reported.

Addressing the gesture, Arindam Bagchi, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of India to the UN, noted, "This is really a privilege for the Indian mission here to be able to donate five peacocks, 'Pavo cristatus', to [UN Geneva]. There is a tradition of having peacocks here. We have donated in 1981 and are delighted to be able to continue this tradition." (ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)