India condemns attacks on vessels in Strait of Hormuz at UNSC, calls for free navigation
India has strongly condemned recent attacks on maritime vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, calling for an immediate de-escalation of tensions and the restoration of free and unimpeded navigation through international waterways in the region.
Speaking at a UN Security Council open debate on the Middle East, India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, said the renewed escalation of hostilities in West Asia was "deeply concerning" and urged all sides to return to dialogue and diplomacy.
Harish said several vessels, including GFS Galaxy, MT Al Bahiyah and MT Mombasa, were attacked while transiting the Strait of Hormuz this month. Several Indian nationals were injured, including some seriously, while one Indian citizen was killed and another remains missing, he said.
"India has consistently condemned acts of violence targeting seafarers and disrupting free and safe navigation through international waterways like the Strait of Hormuz," Harish said, calling for an end to attacks on commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure.
India's concerns are heightened by its economic and strategic ties with the region. Harish said India's annual bilateral trade with the Gulf Cooperation Council countries is around USD 180 billion, while cumulative foreign direct investment exceeds USD 31 billion and remittances from the Gulf region are more than USD 52 billion. Around 10 million Indians live and work in the Gulf, making their safety a key priority for New Delhi.
Harish also warned that the focus on the Strait of Hormuz should not divert international attention from the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Speaking in Arabic, he reiterated India's support for the Palestinian people and its long-standing backing for a two-state solution.
He said India has provided around USD 175 million in development and humanitarian assistance to Palestine, including contributions to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees. India has also committed to establishing a speciality hospital, an artificial limb fitment centre and a vocational training institute in Palestine.
On Yemen, Harish reaffirmed India's support for the country's unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity and condemned attacks by the Houthis on maritime navigation. He said protecting the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the southern Red Sea was a shared international responsibility.
India also condemned attacks on UN Interim Force in Lebanon peacekeepers and stressed that their safety and security must be ensured. Harish said the Lebanese Armed Forces should receive the necessary support as preparations are made for a post-UNIFIL scenario.
