India Tells UNSC It Firmly Opposes Attacks on Merchant Shipping Amid Iran Conflict
New Delhi cites deaths and disappearances of Indian nationals, stresses protection of sea lanes, civilians and regional stability
UNITED NATIONS, Jun 11: India on Wednesday voiced serious concern over the escalating conflict involving Iran and its wider impact on regional security, urging all parties to exercise restraint and return to dialogue as tensions continue to disrupt maritime trade and threaten civilian lives.
Addressing a United Nations Security Council debate on peace and security in the Middle East, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni, said New Delhi remains firmly opposed to attacks on commercial shipping and emphasised the need to safeguard freedom of navigation in vital sea routes.
The envoy noted that several Indian nationals have either lost their lives or remain unaccounted for following attacks linked to the ongoing hostilities in the Gulf region. He underlined that the safety of nearly 10 million Indians living and working across Gulf countries remains a top priority for the government.
Parvathaneni warned that prolonged instability poses significant risks to India’s trade and energy security, given the country’s strong economic links with the region. He said the expanding conflict has generated deep concern due to rising casualties, damage to infrastructure and disruption of normal economic activity.
Reiterating India’s position, he called for an immediate reduction in tensions through diplomacy and mediation. He stressed the importance of protecting civilian populations, ensuring uninterrupted maritime commerce and avoiding actions that could further widen the conflict.
The ambassador also expressed concern over the humanitarian consequences of conflicts across the Middle East. Referring to Gaza, he said the worsening humanitarian situation requires sustained ceasefire efforts, unhindered aid delivery and progress towards a negotiated two-state solution that guarantees peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians.
India announced that it will soon release the first instalment of its annual contribution of USD 5 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), amounting to USD 2.5 million.
On Lebanon, India reiterated support for the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity while highlighting the presence of Indian peacekeepers serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). New Delhi called for the safety of peacekeeping personnel and backed accountability for attacks targeting UN forces.
Parvathaneni further argued that international mediation mechanisms must evolve with changing geopolitical realities. He said outdated frameworks often fail to address present-day challenges and called for approaches better suited to contemporary conflicts.
India also renewed its demand for comprehensive reforms of the UN Security Council, stating that the organisation’s credibility has been undermined by its inability to effectively respond to major crises. The envoy said expansion of both permanent and non-permanent membership categories is necessary to reflect current global realities and strengthen the UN’s effectiveness in maintaining international peace and security.
