Attacks on commercial shipping legally, morally indefensible: India reiterates call for seafarer safety at UN amid West Asia conflict

India vehemently denounced attacks on commercial shipping and maritime navigation throughout West Asia, asserting that such actions are both "legally and morally indefensible" and calling for the protection of seafarers, including those of Indian nationality. The Indian Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni, addressed the United Nations Security Council's quarterly open debate on the Middle East situation.

He emphasized India's commitment to Yemen's unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, while rejecting any interference in its internal affairs.

Parvathaneni highlighted the increasing threats to commercial shipping and merchant mariners, citing recent attacks on vessels such as the India-flagged MV DP World Cauvery, MT Petro Dolphin, and MT Valthera, as well as MT On Peace and MT Kazimah III. He emphasized that all attacks on commercial shipping and merchant mariners are both legally and morally indefensible and underscored the direct responsibility India bears for the safety and security of its seafarers.

India urged an immediate cessation of hostilities and appealed for the resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy. The envoy also expressed deep concern over the escalating hostilities across the region, condemning repeated attacks on civilian infrastructure, including Saudi airports, which resulted in casualties, including those of an Indian national, Mohammad Yousef Ali, in Riyadh.

India stressed the importance of safeguarding the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Southern Red Sea, emphasizing that this is a shared international responsibility and a global concern. The envoy highlighted India's significant economic, energy, investment, and people-to-people ties with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, with an annual trade of USD 180 billion, cumulative foreign direct investment of USD 31 billion, and remittances exceeding USD 52 billion.

India has also been working on strengthening international coordination on maritime safety. Parvathaneni mentioned that India and Liberia launched a Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers at the UN General Assembly High-Level Week, with 23 member states joining the initiative. He also referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's proposal at the BRICS Summit to establish a 'Seafarers Emergency Support Network' to facilitate distress alerts, medical assistance, communication with families, and evacuation support.

India emphasized that the safety and security of seafarers remain a priority, as nearly two million seafarers operate the world's merchant fleet, accounting for four-fifths of global trade. The envoy cautioned against diverting global attention from the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, calling for coordinated international action to prevent further civilian casualties and destruction of civilian infrastructure.