India’s representative at the UN Security Council delivered a scathing rebuke against assaults on merchant ships in the Strait of Hormuz, demanding the swift restoration of free navigation. Speaking on Tuesday, Deputy Permanent Representative YL Patel warned that such military actions against commercial traffic are deplorable and undermine global security.
This strategic waterway is indispensable for India’s economy, channeling a significant portion of its energy imports and exports. Disruptions ripple through supply chains, inflating costs and risking shortages. Patel referenced India’s support for UNSC Resolution 2817 from March 11, co-sponsored to denounce aggressive moves in the Middle East, implicitly pointing to Iran amid reports of attacks on Indian vessels.
Tragically, these strikes have claimed the lives of at least three Indian crew members on foreign ships, with direct hits on India-bound cargo. The US naval presence has tightened the area, complicating passage. In the Bahrain-chaired session on Middle East tensions, Patel stressed, ‘Obstructing navigation in the Strait or endangering civilian lives is intolerable.’
She elaborated on the strait’s role in India’s connectivity, vital for trade volumes and energy security. Protecting the 10 million Indian expatriates in the Gulf is a top priority. Advocating diplomacy over confrontation, Patel positioned the Middle East as India’s immediate neighborhood, where stability directly impacts national interests.
The international community watches closely as India pushes for calm, highlighting the strait’s role in averting a broader economic crisis through renewed commitments to maritime freedom.
