India on Thursday (local time) strongly condemned attacks on maritime and commercial shipping amid escalating conflicts in West Asia, stating that such attacks are "illegal and unethical." The country also called for the protection of sailors, including Indian nationals.
International Responsibility in Protecting the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait
In this context, India emphasized international responsibility for the protection of the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait and the southern Red Sea amid the conflicts in Yemen, which involve the Houthi group and the internationally recognized government of Yemen and Saudi Arabia. India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Harish Parvathaneni, stressed during the quarterly public discussion of the UN Security Council on the situation in the Middle East that New Delhi is committed to the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Yemen and rejects any interference in its internal affairs.
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Condemnation of Attacks on Commercial Shipping
Parvathaneni stated, "We strongly condemn attacks on maritime shipping and sailors, many of whom are Indian citizens. Protecting the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait and the southern Red Sea is a shared international responsibility and is in the global interest." He also pointed to the increasing threats against commercial shipping and sailors, referencing recent attacks on vessels, including the Indian ship MV DP World Cauvery, which was attacked earlier this week, as well as MT Petro Dolphin and MT Valthera last week and MT On Peace and MT Kazimah III the week before.
Parvathaneni, thanking Omani and Emirati officials for their support of the safety of Indian sailors during these attacks, said, "All attacks on commercial shipping and sailors are illegal and unethical. Several of these vessels have Indian sailors, and their safety and security are our direct responsibility."
India called for an immediate de-escalation of tensions and invited all parties to resolve the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy. It also emphasized that attacks on commercial vessels, sailors, and civilian infrastructure must cease and that freedom of navigation and the safe and unobstructed flow of maritime trade through international waters must be maintained in accordance with international law.
According to Parvathaneni, "The safety and security of sailors is a priority for the Government of India, and these repeated attacks increase the risk of escalating a very unstable situation."
India also expressed its deep concern over the escalation of conflicts across the region and once again condemned the frequent attacks on civilian infrastructure, including airports in Saudi Arabia in recent days, which resulted in loss of life, including an Indian citizen named Mohammed Yusuf Ali in Riyadh.
Parvathaneni emphasized that India stands in complete solidarity with the government and people of Saudi Arabia in defending its sovereignty. He highlighted India's significant interests in the stability of West Asia, emphasizing economic, energy, investment, and people-to-people ties with the region.
India's annual trade with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries alone amounts to $180 billion, while cumulative foreign direct investment stands at $31 billion and remittances exceed $52 billion. Approximately 10 million Indians live in GCC countries, contributing to their economies, making their safety, security, and welfare a core interest for India and an important element in New Delhi's bilateral relations with the region.
In light of the frequent attacks on commercial shipping, Parvathaneni emphasized India's efforts to strengthen international coordination on maritime safety. He stated that the proposed network could facilitate emergency alerts, medical assistance, communication with families, and support for evacuation if necessary. Parvathaneni also pointed to the global importance of maritime safety, noting that nearly two million sailors operate in the global commercial fleet, and maritime shipping accounts for four-fifths of global trade.
Regarding the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, the Indian representative warned that global focus on the crisis affecting merchant shipping and the Strait of Hormuz should not divert attention from the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Palestinian territories. He also emphasized the need for humanitarian assistance, dialogue and diplomacy, and a two-state solution, calling for coordinated international action to prevent casualties and destruction of civilian infrastructure.
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