4 hrs ago
India Tells UN Security Council Maritime Navigation Must Remain Free
India told a United Nations meeting that ships should be able to travel safely and freely.
No country or group should threaten ships or unfairly block important sea routes.
Problems at one narrow sea passage can affect many other routes.
They can also make shipping, energy and food more expensive.
India said countries should plan ahead so essential goods can keep moving during conflicts.
The safety of sailors should be a major priority.
Sailors may need evacuation, medical help, crew changes and safe returns home.
India also warned about cyberattacks, unmanned systems and disruptions to navigation technology.
It said countries should work together and follow international law.
India told the UN Security Council that navigation rights must be free from coercion, threats and unlawful restrictions.
Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni said maritime insecurity threatens international peace, security, energy supplies and food security.
India urged practical arrangements to keep commercial and humanitarian supplies moving during crises.
The envoy called for stronger international planning to protect, evacuate, medically assist and repatriate seafarers.
India highlighted emerging risks including unmanned-system attacks, cyber threats and interference with navigation and communications.
- Who
- India, represented by its Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni.
- What
- India called for protected freedom of navigation, stronger maritime security arrangements and better safeguards for seafarers.
- Where
- At the United Nations Security Council's Arria-Formula meeting.
- When
- At a Thursday meeting of the United Nations Security Council.
- Why
- Recent disruptions to major maritime routes have threatened shipping, energy and food supplies and created wider economic and humanitarian risks.
Key facts
- Meeting
- UN Security Council Arria-Formula meeting titled “Safe Seas, Shared Security: Protecting Freedom of Navigation in an Evolving Security Environment”
- Indian representative
- Harish Parvathaneni, India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations
- India's position
- Navigation and overflight rights must be respected under international law.
- Major concern
- Disruptions at maritime chokepoints can raise freight and insurance costs and disrupt energy and food supplies.
- Seafarer protection
- India called for contingency planning covering evacuation, medical assistance, crew changes and repatriation.
- Emerging threats
- Unmanned-system attacks, cyber risks and interference with navigation and communications.
- Legal framework
- India cited the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Quotes
Harish Parvathaneni
India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations
“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.”
deccanchronicle.com
“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.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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