United Nations, May 17: India has strongly condemned attacks on commercial shipping and threats to maritime safety in the Strait of Hormuz, calling such actions “unacceptable,” India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Parvathaneni Harish, said.
Speaking at a special session of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UNECOSOC) on safeguarding energy and supply chains, Harish raised concerns over recent disruptions to maritime security, following an attack on an India-flagged vessel off the coast of Oman earlier this week.
The vessel, which was travelling from Somalia, was attacked on May 13. Omani authorities later rescued all 14 crew members, though the identity of the attackers has not been confirmed.
In a post on X, Harish said India highlighted its approach to addressing the ongoing energy and fertiliser crisis linked to instability in West Asia. He stressed the need for both short-term and structural measures, along with stronger international cooperation.
He reiterated that targeting commercial shipping, endangering civilian sailors, and obstructing freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz cannot be accepted under any circumstances, and urged full respect for international law.
The Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route through which nearly one-fifth of the world’s energy supply passes, has seen rising security concerns amid escalating tensions in West Asia. India noted that the region has been severely affected by the conflict, which began on February 28, involving exchanges of strikes between the US, Israel, and Iran.
India had earlier also described the attack on the vessel as unacceptable. At least two other Indian-flagged ships have reportedly been targeted since the conflict began.
