India on Tuesday condemned attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), calling for the immediate restoration of free navigation in a waterway critical to its energy and economic security. The statement was delivered at a Council session convened by Bahrain, the current Council President, on the situation in the Middle East.

What India Said at the Security Council

India's Deputy Permanent Representative Yojna Patel told the Security Council that commercial shipping must not be subjected to military attacks. "Commercial shipping must not be the target of military attacks, and such attempts are deplorable," Patel said, adding that targeting civilian crew members or impeding freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz is "unacceptable".

Patel did not name any country directly but pointedly recalled India's co-sponsorship of UNSC Resolution 2817, adopted on 11 March, which condemned in the "strongest terms" Tehran's attacks on its Middle East neighbours. The resolution was originally brought by Bahrain. The reference was widely read as an implicit indictment of Iran.

India's Strategic Stakes in the Hormuz Strait

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints, through which a significant share of global oil trade passes. For India, unimpeded passage through the Strait is directly linked to energy supply chains and bilateral trade with Gulf nations. Patel underscored that the Strait provides India with "vital connectivity to a region with which its trade and energy supply chains are linked through geography, with implications for economy and energy security."

Notably, Iran has previously attacked Indian ships and a vessel bound for India. In assaults on ships of multiple countries in the region, at least three Indian sailors have reportedly died. The United States has also established a blockade in the Hormuz region, further complicating the maritime security landscape.

Indian Diaspora and Gulf Security

Patel highlighted a deeply human dimension to India's concern, noting that almost 10 million Indians live and work in the Gulf region. "Their safety and well-being are a key priority for us," she said. This diaspora represents one of the largest overseas Indian communities globally, and remittances from the Gulf form a significant pillar of India's economy.

Call for Diplomacy and De-escalation

India called for dialogue and diplomacy to reduce tensions in the Gulf. "The Middle East is our proximate neighbourhood, and we have significant stakes in the security and stability of the region," Patel said. This comes amid a broader pattern of India asserting a more active voice at multilateral forums on issues directly affecting its strategic interests, while carefully avoiding direct bilateral confrontation in public statements. The Council session reflects growing international pressure to address the deteriorating maritime security situation in one of the world's most consequential shipping corridors.