India has vehemently condemned the recent spate of attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, advocating for the immediate restoration of free and unimpeded navigation through international waterways. Speaking at a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) open debate on the Middle East, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, India's Permanent Representative to the UN, voiced deep concern over the renewed escalation of hostilities in West Asia.
Attacks Impact Indian Citizens and Global Trade
Ambassador Harish specifically cited attacks on vessels such as GFS Galaxy, MT Al Bahiyah, and MT Mombasa during their transit through the Strait of Hormuz. These incidents have had direct consequences for India, with several Indian citizens injured, one tragically killed, and another reported missing. "India has consistently condemned acts of violence targeting seafarers and disrupting free and safe navigation through international waterways like the Strait of Hormuz," Harish stated, emphasizing the urgent need for an end to targeting commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the region.
West Asia's Economic Importance to India
Highlighting the critical economic and strategic ties between India and West Asia, Harish noted that annual bilateral trade stands at approximately $180 billion, with foreign direct investment exceeding $31 billion and remittances from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries surpassing $52 billion. The presence of around 10 million Indians living and working in the Gulf underscores their safety as a paramount priority for India. The UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific reported that following attacks from July 6, Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz closed again on July 11, leading to a sharp decline in daily vessel transits.
Broader Regional Stability and UNSC Reform
Beyond the immediate concerns in the Strait of Hormuz, India also urged the Security Council to remain focused on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, calling for concerted international action to address civilian casualties and widespread destruction. Harish reaffirmed India's unwavering support for a sovereign, independent, and viable State of Palestine, coexisting peacefully alongside Israel within secure and recognized borders.
On the situation in Yemen, India reiterated its commitment to the country's unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, condemning Houthi attacks on maritime navigation. It called for the protection of the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Southern Red Sea as a shared international responsibility.
Finally, Ambassador Harish criticized the stalled progress on UN Security Council reform, asserting that the process should not be held hostage by the narrow, divisive interests of a few member states. He underscored the palpable disappointment among member states and global citizens regarding the Council's inability to effectively intervene in conflicts worldwide, stressing the urgent need for comprehensive reforms.