Targeting commercial shipping, impeding navigation in Strait of Hormuz unacceptable: India’s Permenant Representative at UN
NEW DELHI: India has raised concerns at the United Nations over attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, with its Permanent Representative to the UN, Parvathaneni Harish, calling the targeting of civilian shipping and crews “unacceptable” amid escalating tensions in West Asia.Speaking at a special meeting of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UNECOSOC) on Friday, Harish warned that attacks on commercial shipping threatened global energy and supply chains, days after an India-flagged vessel came under attack off the coast of Oman. The meeting focused on “Safeguarding energy and supply flows: Supporting global development through international cooperation”.In a post on X on Sunday, Harish said he had shared India’s approach to the recent energy and fertiliser crisis triggered by the conflict in West Asia.“A combination of short-term and structural measures alongside international cooperation are essential to respond to the crisis,” he said. “Reiterated that targeting of commercial shipping, endangering civilian crew and impeding freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, are unacceptable. International law in this regard must be fully respected,” he added.The remarks came after an India-flagged commercial vessel sailing from Somalia was attacked on May 13 near Oman, amid growing instability in the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically critical waterway through which nearly one-fifth of the world’s energy supplies pass. Omani authorities rescued all 14 crew members aboard the vessel. It was not immediately known who carried out the strike.Ministry of external affairs on Thursday condemned the attack, describing it as “unacceptable” and expressing concern over repeated attacks on commercial shipping in the region.“The attack on an Indian-flagged ship off the coast of Oman yesterday is unacceptable and we deplore the fact that commercial shipping and civilian mariners continue to be targeted,” the MEA spokesperson said in a statement.“All Indian crew on board are safe and we thank the Omani authorities for rescuing them,” the statement added.According to officials, at least two other Indian-flagged ships have come under attack since the conflict in West Asia erupted on February 28 following joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran and subsequent retaliatory attacks.The latest developments have heightened concerns over maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz, a key global trade and energy corridor that has witnessed severe disruption since the conflict intensified.
