India urges West Asia de-escalation after Strait of Hormuz vessel attacks

India told the UN Security Council that the renewed West Asia escalation and attacks on commercial vessels are deeply concerning. It urged immediate de-escalation, restoration of free navigation, and sustained focus on Gaza and regional stability.

In Short

• Several Indian seafarers were injured, one killed and another remains missing
• Hormuz transits reportedly fell sharply after Iran announced renewed closure
• West Asia remains vital for India’s trade, energy flows and diaspora

India on Tuesday described the renewed escalation in West Asia as "deeply concerning" and called for an immediate easing of tensions. At a UN Security Council open debate on the Situation in the Middle East, India also strongly condemned recent attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and called for free and unimpeded navigation and trade through international waterways in the region to be restored.

India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, said West Asia is a region of "immense importance" to India and warned that the return of attacks after a brief pause in the conflict was worrying. "After a brief pause in the ongoing conflict in the region, there has been a worrying resumption of attacks and escalation of hostilities. This is deeply concerning and India calls for an immediate de-escalation of tensions," he said.

Harish said India strongly condemned attacks this month on several vessels, including GFS Galaxy, MT Al Bahiyah and MT Mombasa, while they were transiting the Strait of Hormuz. "Several Indian citizens were injured, including some seriously, one Indian tragically lost his life, and one is missing, in these attacks. India has consistently condemned acts of violence targeting seafarers and disrupting free and safe navigation through international waterways like the Strait of Hormuz," he said.

He said India strongly supports a return to dialogue and diplomacy in the interests of peace, security and stability in the region. "The targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the region must end, and free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through the international waterways in the region, in keeping with international law, must be restored at the earliest," Harish said.

Amid the US-Israel war against Iran, the UN has noted that after attacks on commercial vessels from July 6, Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz closed again on July 11. The UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific said daily transits, which had been above 100 before the conflict and had recovered to 49 by July 7, fell to as low as 8 to 15 by mid-July.

Harish said India's stakes in the region's security and stability are high, with trade and energy supply chains closely linked to West Asia. He said bilateral annual trade stands at about 180 billion dollars, cumulative foreign direct investment is over 31 billion dollars, and remittances from the Gulf Cooperation Council alone are more than 52 billion dollars. Around 10 million Indians live and work in the Gulf region, and "their safety and well-being are a key priority for us," he said.

India also told the Council that global attention on the Strait of Hormuz must not divert "our attention away from the dire humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip". Harish said the loss of civilian lives and the destruction of civilian infrastructure required urgent action by the international community, and added that India remained committed to efforts that make a tangible impact on the daily lives of Palestinians. He said India's development assistance amounts to around 175 million dollars.

He said the international community should also press ahead with a sustainable and durable political solution. "India believes that a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine living side by side in peace with Israel, within secure and recognised borders, is essential to a comprehensive and lasting solution," he said.

On Yemen, India reaffirmed its commitment to the country's unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity and rejected interference in its internal affairs. "We further condemn attacks by Houthis on maritime navigation. The protection of the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Southern Red Sea is a shared international responsibility and is a global interest," Harish said.

On Lebanon, India said UN Interim Force in Lebanon peacekeepers operate in difficult conditions while carrying out Security Council mandates and must never be targeted. It strongly condemned all attacks on UNIFIL peacekeepers and said their safety and security remain a priority. Harish added: "Further, it is important to be ready for a post-UNIFIL scenario, and in this context, the Lebanese Armed Forces must receive requisite support and assistance."

In its remarks at the UN, India linked the need for de-escalation in West Asia with the protection of shipping lanes, concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, support for a two-state solution, and the safety of peacekeepers and civilians across the region.

With PTI Inputs

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