United Nations — India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Parvathaneni Harish, warned that attacks on commercial shipping, endangering civilian crew and impeding freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz are “unacceptable” and must stop.
Harish made the remarks at a special meeting of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UNECOSOC) on safeguarding energy and supply flows, days after an India‑flagged commercial vessel was struck off the coast of Oman. Omani authorities rescued all 14 crew members of the vessel, which had been sailing from Somalia; it was not immediately clear who carried out the attack.
Posting on X, Harish said he outlined India’s approach to the recent energy and fertiliser disruptions tied to the West Asia conflict. He called for a combination of short‑term responses and longer‑term structural measures, backed by international cooperation, to address the crisis.
“Reiterated that targeting of commercial shipping, endangering civilian crew and impeding freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, are unacceptable. International law in this regard must be fully respected,” Harish wrote.
The May 13 attack occurred amid a fragile security environment in the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway near Oman through which roughly one‑fifth of the world’s energy supplies transit. The waterway’s safety has been seriously affected by the wider West Asia conflict that began on February 28 and has involved strikes and retaliatory actions among multiple parties.
India had earlier described the attack on its flagged vessel as unacceptable. At least two other Indian‑flagged ships have reportedly been attacked since the conflict began.
According to UNECOSOC, the meeting focused on “Safeguarding energy and supply flows: Supporting global development through international cooperation,” underscoring concerns that disruptions to maritime routes and energy shipments could have broad economic and humanitarian consequences. Harish emphasized that protecting civilian shipping and upholding international maritime law are essential to maintaining global energy and supply chains.
