India’s Cultural Diplomacy Takes Flight: Bharat Presents 5 Young Peacocks To UN Geneva

Geneva: In a colourful display of soft power and cultural diplomacy, India has gifted five young peacocks to the United Nations Office at Geneva, reinforcing a unique tradition that spans more than a century at the Palais des Nations.

The birds -- four classic blue Indian peafowl (Pavo cristatus) and one rare white peacock -- were formally handed over by India’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Ambassador Arindam Bagchi, to UN Geneva Director-General Tatiana Valovaya. The white peacock, whose snowy plumage stands in striking contrast to the iridescent blues of its companions, was particularly noted for matching the signature colours of the United Nations.

Valovaya welcomed the new arrivals, describing them as a vibrant addition to Ariana Park. The birds will initially reside in a temporary enclosure for about three months before being allowed to roam freely across the park grounds, joining the existing resident peacocks that have long been a familiar sight to diplomats and visitors.

Ambassador Bagchi called the donation a privilege and a continuation of India’s longstanding association with the peacocks of Geneva. “There is a tradition of having peacocks here. We have donated in 1981 and are delighted to be able to continue this tradition,” he noted. The 1981 gift, arranged under then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, involved a breeding pair flown from Delhi Zoo.

The gesture draws on the peacock’s status as India’s national bird, a symbol of beauty, grace, and pride. Officials framed the donation as a celebration of India’s natural heritage and its enduring partnership with the United Nations, underscoring New Delhi’s commitment to multilateralism.

Peacocks have inhabited Ariana Park since the late 19th century, when Swiss collector Gustave Revilliod bequeathed the estate with the condition that the birds be allowed to roam freely. Over the decades they have witnessed world fairs, Cold War summits, and countless diplomatic gatherings. Previous donations have come from India and Japan, helping sustain the flock through the years.

In an era of complex global challenges, India’s latest “peacock diplomacy” offers a light-hearted yet meaningful reminder of the value of cultural exchange and continuity at the heart of international diplomacy. The five young peacocks now join a living tradition that predates the United Nations itself, adding fresh colour and life to the grounds of the Palais des Nations.