UNITED NATIONS, Apr 17: India on Thursday described the targeting of commercial shipping during the West Asia conflict as “deplorable” and strongly called for the early restoration of unimpeded freedom of navigation and global commerce through the Strait of Hormuz.
Addressing the UN General Assembly, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni, said the Strait of Hormuz is of critical importance for India’s energy and economic security.
“A matter of particular concern for India relates to commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz,” he said, adding that India has strongly condemned attacks on commercial vessels in the ongoing conflict.
He emphasized that targeting commercial shipping and endangering civilian crew members, or obstructing freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, is unacceptable under international law.
India reiterated that international law must be fully respected and urged that safe, secure, and uninterrupted maritime movement through the Strait be restored at the earliest.
The Indian envoy also expressed concern over the loss of lives of Indian seafarers aboard ships affected by the conflict.
Parvathaneni made the remarks during a UN General Assembly debate under the “Veto Initiative” on the situation in the Middle East, held after Russia and China vetoed a Bahrain-led resolution in the Security Council regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
He said India has consistently urged restraint since the outbreak of conflict in Iran and the Gulf region on February 28, calling on all parties to avoid escalation and ensure civilian safety.
India has also stressed the importance of dialogue, diplomacy, de-escalation, and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations.
The Ministry of External Affairs had earlier stated that eight Indian nationals have lost their lives and one remains missing in various incidents in the region.
The Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy chokepoint connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, has seen severe disruption due to the conflict.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres had warned that when such critical routes are disrupted, vulnerable populations are the worst affected.
According to UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), maritime traffic through the Strait has dropped sharply, highlighting severe disruption to global energy and trade flows, with wider impacts on transport, logistics, and supply chains worldwide. (Agency)
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