India condemns shipping attacks, urges protection of seafarers' at UN

India has strongly condemned attacks on commercial shipping and maritime navigation amid escalating tensions in West Asia, describing them as “legally and morally indefensible” and calling for the protection of seafarers, including Indian nationals, at the United Nations Security Council.
Addressing the Council’s quarterly open debate on the Middle East, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni, urged all parties to de-escalate hostilities and resolve disputes through dialogue and diplomacy. He stressed that safeguarding the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the southern Red Sea was a shared international responsibility.

#WATCH | At the UNSC Open Debate on the Middle East, Parvathaneni Harish, Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations, New York says, "...India has very high stakes in the safety, security and stability of the Middle East...10 million Indians live in the GCC countries, contributing to the economies of these nations. Their safety, security and well-being is a core interest and a vital part of our bilateral relationships. The escalation in hostilities in the region is deeply worrying. We call for restraint and de-escalation in what has developed into a principal challenge facing the international community today. We strongly condemn repeated attacks on civilian infrastructure in the past few days which has led to the loss of precious lives, including that of an Indian citizen Mohammed Yusuf Ali, in Riyadh. India stands in complete solidarity with the Govt and people of Saudi Arabia in defence of their sovereignty. Recent attacks against commercial shipping such as on the India-flagged MV DP World Kaveri this week, on MT Petro Dolphin and MT Walthera last week, are deeply concerning. All attacks on commercial shipping and merchant mariners are legally and morally indefensible. Several of these ships have Indian seafarers and their safety and security are our direct responsibility. We thank the Omani and the UAE authorities for valuable support in ensuring safety of Indian seafarers in these attacks. India reiterates the need for immediate de-escalation and the resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy. Attacks on commercial vessels, on seafarers and civilian infrastructure must cease. Freedom of navigation and the safe and unimpeded flow of maritime commerce through international waterways in accordance with international law must be upheld. The safety and security of seafarers remains a priority for Govt of India and these recurring attacks risk further aggravation of a very volatile situation...At the BRICS Summit last month, PM Narendra Modi proposed establishing a seafarers' emergency support network which could connect the maritime authorities and embassies of the countries concerned and facilitate distress alerts, medical assistance, communication with families and support for evacuation when needed..." (Video: Parvathaneni Harish/X)

— ANI (@ANI) October 16, 2026

Parvathaneni expressed concern over attacks on commercial vessels, including India-flagged MV DP World Cauvery, MT Petro Dolphin, MT Valthera, MT On Peace and MT Kazimah III. He acknowledged the assistance provided by Oman and the United Arab Emirates in ensuring the safety of Indian seafarers during the attacks.Highlighting India’s regional interests, the envoy said around 10 million Indians live in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, where annual bilateral trade stands at approximately $180 billion. He emphasised that their safety and well-being remain a key government priority.
India also highlighted initiatives to strengthen maritime security, including the Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers, launched jointly with Liberia. The proposed Seafarers Emergency Support Network, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the BRICS Summit, aims to facilitate distress alerts, medical assistance and evacuation support.On Gaza, India reiterated its condemnation of the October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks, called for humanitarian assistance and reaffirmed its support for a negotiated two-state solution. It also condemned attacks on UN peacekeepers in Lebanon and reiterated its support for Syria’s sovereignty and a Syrian-led political process.Reiterating India’s position, Parvathaneni called for lasting peace and stability across West Asia, stressing the need to protect civilians, uphold international law and ensure a future free from conflict.