Sri Lanka - for "Operation Pawan," peacekeeping service in northern and eastern Sri Lanka, 1987-90, as apart of the Indian Peacekeeping Force (IPKF) - awarded to army, navy, and air force personnel for services in Sri Lanka, around 200,000 Indian troops served in "Operation Pawan" Awarded to military personnel for services outside of India. Personnel assigned to diplomatic missions are excluded from awards. In many cases, the clasps are awarded either for service with the United Nations or other multi-national missions or for detached service on loan to foreign governments. In general, the qualifying period is graduated according to the length of the specific service: for assignments over a year, the qualifying period is six months; for assignments less than a year, the qualifying period is three months. Exceptions are made for special cases. Established: 1960, by the President of India, with effect from 25 March 1953. Obverse: A 35-mm circular copper-nickel medal. The Ashokan lions (the Indian national emblem), and below "Videsh Seva Medal" in Hindi. Suspended by a straight-bar suspender. The medal is normally named on the edge. Reverse: An ancient Indian ship on the open stormy seas. Ribbon: 32 mm, medium blue with five equally spaced white stripes. 4.5 mm medium blue, 1 mm white, 4.5 mm medium blue, 1 mm white, 4.5 mm medium blue, 1 mm white, 4.5 mm medium blue, 1 mm white, 4.5 mm medium blue, 1 mm white, 4.5 mm medium blue.