India on Thursday, 16 October 2026 reiterated its call for an immediate de-escalation and diplomatic resolution of the conflict engulfing the Gulf region, warning of severe consequences for its $180 billion annual trade relationship, 10 million diaspora members, and the safety of its seafarers. India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, P Harish, made the appeal at the UN Security Council's quarterly open debate on the Middle East.

India's economic and human stakes in the Gulf

Harish underscored the depth of India's exposure to the region, citing figures that go well beyond diplomacy. With the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations alone, India's annual bilateral trade stands at $180 billion, cumulative Foreign Direct Investment at $31 billion, and remittances at more than $52 billion.

'India has very high stakes in the safety, security and stability of the Middle East,' Harish said. 'Our political, economic, investment, energy and people-to-people relations with the region are extremely strong.'

The wellbeing of the 10 million Indians living across those countries, he added, is 'a core interest and a vital part of our bilateral relationships.'

Attacks on shipping and the seafarers' crisis

A central concern for New Delhi is the mounting threat to maritime commerce and Indian sailors. Harish stated plainly: 'All attacks on commercial shipping and merchant mariners are legally and morally indefensible.'

He cited attacks this week on the India-flagged MV DP World Cauvery, as well as recent strikes on MT Petro Dolphin, MT Valthera, MT On Peace, and MT Kazimah III — vessels under other flags but carrying Indian sailors. He thanked Oman and the United Arab Emirates for assisting in ensuring the safety of the crew members involved. Harish stopped short of naming the parties responsible for the attacks.

'Freedom of navigation, and the safe and unimpeded flow of maritime commerce through international waterways, in accordance with international law, must be upheld,' he said.

Modi's proposed Seafarers Emergency Support Network

To address the growing vulnerability of maritime workers, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has proposed the creation of a Seafarers Emergency Support Network (SESN), an initiative first floated at the BRICS summit. According to Harish, the network 'could connect the maritime authorities and embassies of the countries concerned, and facilitate distress alerts, medical assistance, communication with families, and support for evacuation.'

Notably, India — which has the world's largest pool of seafarers — and Liberia, where the greatest number of ships are registered, jointly launched the Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers on the sidelines of the recent UN General Assembly High Level Week. The group now counts 23 member nations.

Gaza, the Two-State Solution, and India's humanitarian role

Harish, who earlier in his diplomatic career served as India's representative to the Palestinian Authority stationed in Gaza City, cautioned that the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz must not divert attention from the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. India has 'unequivocally condemned' the 7 October attack three years ago, he said, reiterating that 'terrorism anywhere has no justification.'

'Civilians including women and children have borne the heaviest cost of the conflict since,' he said, urging the international community to 'act in unison to prevent any further loss of civilian lives and destruction of civilian infrastructure.'

India's position on a lasting resolution remains unchanged: a negotiated Two-State Solution with Israel and Palestine as independent, peacefully coexisting nations. On the ground, India is building a hospital, establishing educational institutions, and offering scholarships to Palestinians. With cumulative contributions of $52 million, India is reportedly emerging as the largest contributor to the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestine.

With the Gulf conflict showing no immediate signs of resolution, the pressure on New Delhi to protect its economic arteries and the millions of citizens living in the region is only set to intensify.