Archive · 9 Aug 2026
India Gifts Five Peacocks to UN, Reviving Indira Gandhi's Tradition
India gave five peacocks to the United Nations in Geneva.
Four of the peacocks are blue and one is white.
Their colors look like the blue and white colors of the United Nations.
A long time ago, the land where the UN buildings stand was given with a special rule.
The rule says peacocks must always walk around freely there.
Over time, the peacocks grew old and died.
At one point, only one peacock was left.
In 1981, Indira Gandhi, the leader of India, sent a pair of peacocks to the UN.
Now India sent new peacocks so the tradition can continue.
The peacock is the national bird of India.
India gifted five peacocks — four blue and one rare white — to the United Nations Office at Geneva.
The gift revives a diplomatic tradition last carried out by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1981.
The peafowl population at the Palace of Nations had dwindled to a single surviving bird.
A 19th-century Ariana Park estate condition legally requires peacocks to roam freely on the property.
India's Permanent Representative Ambassador Arindam Bagchi handed over the birds to UN Geneva Director-General Tatiana Valovaya.
- Who
- India, represented by Permanent Representative Ambassador Arindam Bagchi, gifted the peacocks to UN Geneva Director-General Tatiana Valovaya.
- What
- India gifted five peacocks (four blue and one rare white) to replenish the dwindling peafowl population at the UN grounds in Geneva.
- When
- Around August 7, 2026, with the article published on August 9, 2026.
- Where
- United Nations Office at Geneva, at the Palace of Nations and Ariana Park.
- Why
- To honor a historic Ariana Park requirement for free-roaming peacocks and revive a diplomatic tradition begun by Indira Gandhi in 1981.
- Gift
- 5 peacocks (4 blue, 1 rare white male)
- Recipient
- United Nations Office at Geneva
- Handover by
- Ambassador Arindam Bagchi
- Received by
- UN Geneva Director-General Tatiana Valovaya
- Previous gift
- Indira Gandhi sent a breeding pair from Delhi Zoo in 1981
- Reason
- 19th-century Ariana Park requirement for free-roaming peafowl
- Population before gift
- Single surviving peacock
- Species
- Pavo cristatus (Indian peafowl, national bird of India)