Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish highlights India’s concerns over regional security and maritime trade
India has strongly condemned the recent attacks on commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, describing the renewed escalation of hostilities in West Asia as “deeply concerning” and calling for the immediate restoration of safe and unimpeded maritime navigation.
Addressing the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) during an open debate on the Middle East, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, urged all sides to exercise restraint and return to dialogue.
“After a brief pause in the ongoing conflict in the region, there has been a worrying resumption of attacks and escalation of hostilities. This is deeply concerning and India calls for an immediate de-escalation of tensions,” Harish said.
India condemns attacks on commercial vessels
India specifically condemned attacks on several commercial vessels, including GFS Galaxy, MT Al Bahiyah and MT Mombasa, during their passage through the Strait of Hormuz this month.
The attacks directly affected Indian nationals, with one Indian sailor losing his life, another reported missing and several others sustaining injuries, including some who were seriously hurt.
Harish reiterated that India has consistently opposed attacks targeting seafarers and commercial shipping.
“The targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the region must end, and free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through the international waterways in the region, in keeping with international law, must be restored,” he said.
West Asia vital to India’s economy
Calling West Asia a region of immense strategic importance, Harish highlighted India’s deep economic and energy ties with the Gulf.
India’s annual bilateral trade with the region stands at nearly USD 180 billion, while cumulative foreign direct investment exceeds USD 31 billion. In addition, Indians working in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries send home more than USD 52 billion annually in remittances.
Around 10 million Indians live and work across the Gulf, making regional stability critical for India’s economic and energy security.
Focus should not shift away from Gaza
Switching to Arabic during his address, Harish cautioned that global attention on the Strait of Hormuz should not overshadow the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
He expressed concern over the continuing loss of civilian lives and destruction of infrastructure, urging the international community to respond with greater urgency.
Harish also reaffirmed India’s longstanding support for the Palestinian people, noting that New Delhi has extended nearly USD 175 million in development assistance through infrastructure projects, humanitarian aid and contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
India recently announced plans to establish a speciality hospital, an artificial limb fitment centre and a vocational training institute in Palestine.
Reiterating India’s long-held position, Harish said New Delhi continues to support a two-state solution, with a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine living peacefully alongside Israel within secure and recognised borders.
India condemns attacks in Red Sea and backs Lebanon
India also condemned attacks by the Houthis on maritime navigation in the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Southern Red Sea, stressing that protecting these crucial sea lanes is a shared international responsibility.
On Lebanon, India reaffirmed support for the safety of UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeepers, stating that personnel serving under UN mandates must never become targets.
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