United Nations: Navigational rights must not be subject to coercion, threats, unlawful restrictions or arbitrary interference, India has said at a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting, emphasising that maritime insecurity has consequences well beyond the immediate risks.
“Recent disruptions to significant global maritime routes have underpinned a fundamental reality: the security of maritime routes are vital to international peace, security and global prosperity,” India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni said.
“It has implications across regions of the globe, particularly in terms of energy and food security,” Parvathaneni said.
Addressing the UNSC Arria-Formula meeting on ‘Safe Seas, Shared Security: Protecting Freedom of Navigation in an Evolving Security Environment’ organised here Thursday, Parvathaneni said navigational rights must not be subject to coercion, threats, unlawful restrictions or arbitrary interference.
“Equally vital are coordinated evacuation frameworks for seafarers in conflict zones, with clear responsibilities among States and international organisations,” he said.
Amid the ongoing US-Israel conflict against Iran that has caused disruptions in the critical chokepoint of the Strait of Hormuz, India said recent experience also demonstrates that maritime insecurity has consequences well beyond the immediate threat.
“Disruptions at one chokepoint can increase pressure on alternative routes, raise freight and insurance costs, disrupt energy and food supplies and adversely affect developing countries,” he said.
“The international community must therefore move beyond responding to individual incidents by crafting practical arrangements to facilitate the continued movement of essential commercial and humanitarian supplies during crises,” the Indian envoy said.
“The objective should not merely be to restore navigation after a crisis, but to build a maritime system capable of withstanding shocks before they cascade into wider economic and humanitarian crises,” he said.
India voiced its strong support for a free, open, secure and rules-based maritime domain.
“Rights and freedoms of navigation and overflight should be consistent with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and must be fully respected. Commercial vessels must not become targets of geopolitical tensions,” he said.
With seafarers coming under direct attack in the current conflict and India losing several of the maritime crew, Parvathaneni called for seafarers to remain at the centre of the international community’s collective efforts.
“Their safety, timely evacuation, medical assistance, crew changes and repatriation require effective contingency planning and international cooperation. Their Safety and Security require much greater attention in the present circumstances,” he said.
He called on countries with considerable interest in terms of safety and security of shipping and seafarers to come together.
Parvathaneni said India also recognises the growing importance of addressing emerging threats, including attacks involving unmanned systems, cyber risks and interference with navigation and communications.
International cooperation, capacity-building and responsible use of technology will be critical in addressing these challenges, he said.
