India flags energy security risks at UN, condemns attacks on shipping in Strait of Hormuz
New York, April 17. India has raised strong concerns at the UN General Assembly over attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, warning that disruptions to maritime traffic pose a direct threat to its energy supplies and economic stability. At the same time, New Delhi urged all parties to step back from further escalation in the Gulf.
The remarks were delivered during a General Assembly session on April 16 convened under the UN’s Veto Initiative to discuss the West Asia situation, after Russia and China vetoed a Security Council resolution that sought to halt Iranian attacks on shipping. Given that nearly a fifth of the world’s fossil fuel trade transits Hormuz, India stressed that any disruption has immediate global and domestic repercussions.
India highlights maritime risks and loss of seafarers
India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Harish P, underscored the dangers to commercial navigation and revealed that Indian nationals have already paid a price in the conflict.
He said India deeply regretted that merchant shipping had become a target of military action and noted that Indian seafarers had lost their lives during the hostilities.
Call for respect of international law and de-escalation
Reiterating New Delhi’s long-standing position, Harish said attacks on civilian shipping and threats to freedom of navigation were unacceptable and must cease immediately.
He called for full respect for international law governing maritime conduct and urged the restoration of safe, unhindered passage for global commerce through the Strait at the earliest.
India, however, refrained from taking sides in the controversy surrounding the veto. Instead, it pressed for dialogue, diplomacy and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states as the only viable path to de-escalation.
UN debate exposes rifts over veto
The General Assembly debate was triggered by a rule requiring permanent Security Council members to justify their vetoes within 10 days. On April 7, Russia and China blocked a Bahrain-sponsored draft resolution that called on Iran to stop targeting commercial vessels and ensure freedom of navigation.
While the US, Israel, and several Gulf countries criticised the veto, Moscow and Beijing defended their stance, arguing the draft failed to acknowledge actions by Israel and the US that contributed to the crisis and risked endorsing unauthorised military operations.
Speaking on behalf of Gulf states and Jordan, Kuwait described the veto as a setback in addressing what it termed a direct threat to international peace and security, and signalled that a revised draft resolution may be introduced after consultations.
Strategic corridor under pressure
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most vital maritime corridors, carrying about 20 percent of global fossil fuel shipments. Recent attacks in the waterway, along with countermeasures such as a US naval blockade of Iranian ports, have heightened fears of prolonged disruption.
For India, which relies heavily on energy imports, the instability in the region has elevated concerns over supply chains, maritime safety, and broader economic resilience.
