In London at the 36th extraordinary session of the IMO Council, India’s High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswamy, reaffirmed India’s commitment to seafarers’ safety, freedom of navigation, maritime security and the protection of trade and energy supply chains.
Doraiswamy expressed deep concern about the evolving situation in and around international waterways and urged de-escalation through dialogue and diplomacy, calling for utmost restraint and prioritising civilian safety. He condoled the loss of innocent lives, including three Indian seafarers, and emphasized that attacks on commercial shipping and civilian maritime infrastructure are unacceptable.
He highlighted India’s 24×7 helpline for affected seafarers and the Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR), established by India in 2018 and hosted by the Indian Navy, which facilitates information sharing and coordinates rescue efforts. Noting that India is among the top three seafarer-supplying nations—contributing roughly 13% of the global seafaring workforce—he voiced strong concern for the safety and welfare of all seafarers.
‘Targeting commercial shipping, endangering civilian crews, and impeding safe and free navigation through international waterways, including the Strait of Hormuz, are unacceptable,’ Doraiswamy said, stressing that the navigational rights and freedoms of merchant vessels under international law must be respected.
The IMO Council issued a strong condemnation of threats and attacks against merchant ships and of reports suggesting a closure of the Strait of Hormuz, citing the harmful impacts on vessels and seafarers and referencing UN Security Council Resolution 2817. The Council encouraged the development of frameworks, such as a maritime safety corridor, to enable the voluntary, safe evacuation of merchant vessels from high-risk areas to safer locations.
Council members called for an internationally coordinated response, demanded that attacks affecting civilian seafarers cease immediately, and urged Member States to ensure continuous provision of water, food, fuel and other essentials to ships unable to leave the region.
The Extraordinary Session, convened following requests from several Member States, was attended by more than 120 Member States, including all 40 IMO Council members. At present, 24 Indian-flagged vessels are operating in the Persian Gulf region: 22 vessels west of the Strait of Hormuz carrying 611 Indian seafarers, and two vessels east of the Strait with 47 seafarers aboard.
In his closing remarks, the IMO Secretary-General said: ‘Let it be the responsibility of each and every one of us to demonstrate that inaction is not an option, that words alone are not sufficient. Together, we can drive the change required to protect the wellbeing of those who have no voice and safeguard the principle of freedom of navigation.’
This report is sourced from a syndicated feed and published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility for its accuracy or completeness.
