India condemns Hormuz vessel attacks, urges de-escalation

India has strongly condemned recent attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and called for an immediate de-escalation of tensions in West Asia, highlighting the direct impact on its citizens and vital economic interests. The appeal was made by India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, during a UN Security Council open debate on the Middle East on Tuesday, July 28, 2026.

Ambassador Harish described a worrying resumption of attacks and escalation of hostilities following a brief pause in regional conflict. He specifically condemned attacks on the merchant vessels GFS Galaxy, MT Al Bahiyah, and MT Mombasa while they transited the Strait of Hormuz earlier in July. These incidents resulted in casualties among Indian nationals: one was killed, another remains missing, and several others were injured, some seriously. India has consistently opposed violence targeting seafarers and any disruption to safe navigation in international waterways, Harish stated.

The ambassador urged that targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure must end, and free navigation through the region’s international waterways must be...