India Condemns Hormuz Shipping Attacks at UNSC Debate

India's Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Yojna Patel, condemned attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz during a UN Security Council open debate on the situation in the Middle East, convened by Bahrain this week. Speaking on behalf of New Delhi, Patel described such attempts as deplorable and stressed their threat to global energy security, trade, and the lives of innocent crew members, including Indian seafarers who have died in the conflict.

Patel highlighted the strait’s critical role in India’s energy and economic interests, noting that disruptions endanger freedom of navigation and commerce. "Commercial shipping must not be the target of military attacks, and such attempts are deplorable," she said. "India notes with concern that precious lives of Indian seafarers aboard ships have been lost during the course of the conflict." She urged all parties to respect international law prohibiting the targeting of civilian vessels and called for the swift restoration of safe passage, referencing India’s co-sponsorship of UN Security Council Resolution 2817 adopted in March.

India, home to nearly 10 million nationals living and working in the Gulf...