India puts AI and maritime security at center of UN bid

India has made artificial intelligence and maritime security central priorities in its campaign for a nonpermanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2028-29 term, its envoy Harish Parvathaneni said during a Council debate in October. Parvathaneni, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, told the open debate on emerging technologies and maritime security that new technologies could improve safety at sea but also create risks. India’s policy priorities, he said, include using technology to make shared maritime spaces safer while avoiding greater inequality or competition. He said AI analysis of satellite imagery, radar and vessel-tracking data could improve maritime awareness, help identify suspicious activity and support search-and-rescue operations. India’s Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region, which promotes information-sharing, was cited by Parvathaneni as an example of cooperation on maritime security. The envoy also called for safeguards, meaningful human oversight and clear responsibility in deploying emerging technologies. He said the spread of autonomous systems raises questions about accountability and unintended escalation, while growing...