United Nations Security Council: India should restore safe and smooth sea lanes in the Strait of Hormuz as soon as possible – THE LOCAL REPORT ARTICLES
Ambassador Joyna Patel, Charge d'Affaires of the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations, while addressing an open debate at the United Nations Security Council on "Security and Protection of Waterways in the Maritime Domain" on Monday, emphasized that India considers maritime security and protection of waterways to be critical to global security and economic prosperity.
"As a major trading nation, India strongly condemns the recent actions targeting commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and the threats posed to innocent civilian seafarers. Such actions resulted in the tragic loss of precious lives of Indian seafarers and is unacceptable," Patel said during a debate held during Bahrain's tenure as council president.
India reiterated that freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and freedom of global commerce must be fully respected in accordance with international law and urged the early restoration of safe and unhindered maritime passage.
India is one of the three seafarer suppliers, contributing approximately 13% of the global seafarer workforce.
"India remains deeply concerned about the safety and welfare of its seafarers. Any disruption, blockage or alleged closure of vital waterways will have a direct impact on global economic, energy and humanitarian supply chains," said Patel.
She added that the safety and welfare of seafarers, the security of international shipping, the energy supply chains that sustain national survival, and the humanitarian supply chains that ensure the survival and welfare of seafarers must remain critical. "India aims to maintain safe waterways for long-term peace and inclusive growth globally," she said.
Amid the conflict in West Asia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said last month that eight Indian nationals had been killed and one missing in "various incidents" in the region.
India stressed that the main issues that need to be addressed immediately are safety of navigation, continuity of supply chains (particularly humanitarian supply chains), enhancing maritime situational awareness and facilitating direct or indirect communication among seafarers.
Patel noted that India has submitted recommendations to de-escalate the situation and promote safety on waterways and seafarers, including a 24/7 helpline set up by the country's Directorate General of Shipping for seafarers regardless of nationality, which has so far received nearly 7,500 calls and more than 15,000 emails.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said in his speech at the debate that the Strait of Hormuz, an important oil artery between Oman and Iran and connecting the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, was almost closed due to the conflict. The security of the world's waterways has become a test of the international order itself.
He pointed out with concern that since early March, shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important maritime chokepoints, has been disrupted, which has had an impact on global energy security, food supply and trade. He also pointed out that more than 20,000 seafarers are still stranded at sea, and more than 2,000 commercial ships are trapped in navigation risks and restrictions.
"These men and women are not parties to any conflict. They are civilian workers who keep the world supplied. Their safety, well-being and rights must be protected at all times and in all waters," Guterres said.
In an appeal to all parties to the conflict, Guterres called for the strait to be opened. "Let ships pass. No fees. No discrimination. Let trade resume. Let the global economy breathe."
Citing the example of the Black Sea Initiative during Ukraine's war, Guterres said the agreement showed that even in a conflict, pragmatic cooperation could reopen blocked corridors and keep ships and essential products flowing.
"The United Nations can help launch similar efforts by convening, coordinating and implementing arrangements between the parties on the basis of their consent," he said.
Patel said that India is committed to promoting a free, open and rules-based maritime order in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
She said that since much of the global energy supply and international trade occurs through international waterways, any threat to critical waterways in the maritime domain would have serious implications for international peace and security as well as global trade.
The United Nations Trade and Development Organization has warned that activity in the Strait of Hormuz, a central artery for global energy trade, is close to halting. Ship transits dropped from about 130 sailings per day in February to 6 sailings per day in March, a drop of about 95%.
"This disruption is affecting a significant portion of global oil and gas supplies, with direct consequences for global production, trade and consumption. It is also spreading to transport systems, including maritime routes, air cargo and port logistics," UNCTAD said.
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