India Raises Alarm Over Merchant Shipping Attacks Amid Iran Conflict

India's Stance on Merchant Shipping Safety

United Nations: India has expressed strong disapproval of attacks on merchant vessels amid the escalating conflict in Iran, highlighting the tragic loss of several Indian nationals in the region.

During a session at the UN Security Council, India's Permanent Representative, Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni, conveyed the nation's serious concerns regarding the ongoing turmoil in Iran and the Gulf, which unfortunately coincided with the holy month of Ramadan. He urged all parties involved to exercise restraint, de-escalate tensions, and prioritize civilian safety.

In his address on 'Maintenance of International Peace and Security: Advancing Political Solutions in the Middle East: Mediation and Dialogue for Lasting Peace', Parvathaneni reiterated India's firm opposition to assaults on merchant shipping, emphasizing the significant presence of Indian nationals in the global workforce.

He noted that numerous Indian citizens have either lost their lives or are unaccounted for due to attacks on regional nations and merchant vessels.

His statements followed India's summoning of the US charge d'affaires, Jason Meeks, to express strong objections regarding a US strike on the commercial tanker Settebello, which had 24 Indian crew members aboard, off the coast of Oman.

Following the attack, three crew members were reported missing.

This incident occurred shortly after a Palau-flagged ship, also carrying 24 Indians, was targeted by the US Navy while attempting to bypass a blockade of Iranian ports.

Parvathaneni highlighted that nearly 10 million Indian citizens reside and work in the Gulf region, stressing that their safety is a top priority for India.

He pointed out that India's trade and energy supply chains rely heavily on stability in the region, warning that any significant disruption could have dire consequences for the Indian economy.

The ambassador expressed deep anxiety over the intensifying conflict in Iran and its potential to spread to neighboring countries, which has already caused considerable destruction and loss of life.

He emphasized that the ongoing conflicts have severely affected India, a close neighbor with vital interests in the region's security and stability.

India reiterated its commitment to dialogue and diplomacy, advocating for the protection of navigation and commerce, the avoidance of military actions against commercial shipping, and the safeguarding of civilian populations and infrastructure.

The nation also called for an urgent resolution to the conflict, supporting all initiatives aimed at peaceful resolutions.

India voiced its grave concerns regarding the humanitarian crises in the Middle East, highlighting the significant toll on human lives, injuries, and the large-scale displacement of vulnerable civilians, as well as the impediments to navigation and the global flow of commerce.

The situation in Gaza was described as having severe humanitarian implications, necessitating a sustained ceasefire, humanitarian access, and a credible pathway towards a lasting resolution based on a negotiated two-state solution, ensuring a sovereign and independent State of Palestine coexisting peacefully with Israel.

Parvathaneni stated, 'This remains the only path to achieve lasting peace and overall prosperity.'

He announced that India would soon contribute $2.5 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), marking the first installment of its annual $5 million commitment.

In light of the crisis in Lebanon, India called for respect for the country's territorial integrity and sovereignty, noting the deployment of Indian troops in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

Parvathaneni emphasized the need to ensure the safety of peacekeepers, who carry out essential mandates from the Council and must not be targeted. He also mentioned that India would provide medical assistance to Lebanon.

India condemned attacks on UN peacekeepers in Lebanon and called for a thorough investigation to hold the perpetrators accountable. The ambassador stressed that mediation frameworks must evolve to remain relevant and effective.

He cited the Palestine issue as an example of outdated mediation frameworks that no longer serve their purpose.

Parvathaneni remarked that the current Gaza Peace Plan and the Board of Peace framework differ significantly from previous frameworks.

India urged the Council to address the ongoing conflicts worldwide and the immense human suffering they cause, which raises questions about the UN's legitimacy and effectiveness.

He pointed out that public perception of the UN has shifted due to its inability to resolve conflicts, attributing this to the outdated structure of the Security Council, which is tasked with maintaining international peace and security. He called for genuine reforms to expand both permanent and non-permanent categories in line with contemporary geopolitical realities.