United Nations, September 19 (Daily Kiran) : India has reiterated its demand for the respect of international law during a recent United Nations Security Council meeting. The country emphasized that commercial maritime navigation should not become a target of geopolitical tensions. Indian vessels and citizens have faced challenges due to conflicts in the Strait of Hormuz.
P. Harish, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, addressed the council on Thursday, stating that navigation rights should not be compromised by coercion, threats, illegal sanctions, or arbitrary interference. He emphasized that India, as a significant maritime nation, advocates for a maritime domain that is free, open, secure, and based on rules.
Harish spoke at an informal meeting convened by Bahrain to discuss the maritime security environment under the “Arria-Formula.” This format is named after Venezuelan diplomat Diego Arria, who initiated such meetings during his presidency of the council in 1992.
The blockage of the Strait of Hormuz has resulted in economic repercussions for India, disrupting oil and gas supplies and causing a significant spike in global petroleum prices. Harish noted that disruptions in the Gulf and West Asia have implications for energy and food security worldwide.
While he did not name specific parties involved in these incidents, it is known that India has suffered losses amid tensions between Iran and the United States, as well as with other Gulf nations. India has lodged protests regarding the deaths of its sailors and condemned attacks on Indian-registered vessels.
In April, Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps gunboats fired warning shots at two Indian-flagged tankers. In July, an Iranian attack on two vessels registered in the United Arab Emirates resulted in the death of one Indian sailor and injuries to another.
India has formally protested these incidents to Iranian diplomats in New Delhi. In June, Indian officials summoned the U.S. Chargé d’Affaires to express their concerns over the deaths of three Indian sailors following an attack on their Palau-registered ship.
Harish highlighted that India is contributing to maritime security in the region by deploying its navy. He reported that, as of Monday, over 449 commercial vessels, carrying around 20.3 million tons of cargo valued at more than $8.4 billion, have passed through the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea with the assistance of Indian security operations.
Harish pointed out that disruptions in the Red Sea are caused by Houthi militias, a rebel group in Yemen linked to Iran. He mentioned that the Indian Navy launched “Operation Energy Security” in March, deploying 11 ships in the western Arabian Sea to ensure the safety of maritime trade.
Due to blockades by conflicting parties, hundreds of Indian sailors remain stranded in the Strait of Hormuz. Harish stressed that the safety and timely evacuation of these sailors should be a priority, necessitating effective contingency plans and international cooperation.
He also raised awareness of emerging threats from technological advancements, acknowledging New Delhi’s recognition of the growing importance of addressing challenges such as attacks from unmanned systems, cyber risks, and disruptions in navigation and communication. Harish concluded that international cooperation, capacity building, and the responsible use of technology will be crucial in tackling these challenges.
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