India Raises Alarm At UN Over Attacks On Vessels In Strait Of Hormuz

United Nations, May 17: India has termed attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz as “unacceptable,” warning against threats to civilian crew and freedom of navigation.

India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Parvathaneni Harish, made the remarks during a special meeting of the United Nations Economic and Social Council on safeguarding global energy and supply flows.

The statement comes days after an India-flagged commercial vessel was attacked off the coast of Oman. All 14 crew members were rescued by Omani authorities, though the perpetrators remain unidentified.

Harish, in a post on X, said India shared its approach to tackling the ongoing energy and fertiliser crisis arising from the West Asia conflict.

He stressed that a mix of short-term and long-term measures, along with international cooperation, is essential to address the crisis.

Reiterating India’s stance, he said targeting commercial vessels, endangering civilian crew and disrupting navigation in the Strait of Hormuz must be strongly condemned and international law upheld.

The May 13 attack occurred amid heightened tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial maritime route handling nearly one-fifth of global energy supplies.

The situation in the region has worsened since February 28, when joint strikes by the US and Israel on Iran triggered retaliatory actions, leading to multiple incidents involving commercial shipping, including at least two other India-flagged vessels. (Agencies)