India Urges Restoration of Safe Navigation in Strait of Hormuz at UN

India's Permanent Representative raises concerns over threats to commercial shipping amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 2:19am

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A serene, cinematic painting of a cargo ship silhouetted against a warm, golden sunset sky, reflecting the calm waters of the Strait of Hormuz and conveying a sense of quiet contemplation about the fragility of global trade.As tensions escalate in the Middle East, the Strait of Hormuz remains a critical maritime chokepoint for global commerce, underscoring the fragility of international trade.NYC Today

India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Harish P, has raised serious concerns over threats to commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, urging the immediate restoration of safe navigation. Highlighting the human cost of the conflict, Harish P noted that Indian nationals have been among the victims, with the lives of Indian seafarers aboard ships lost during the course of the conflict. India strongly condemned attacks on civilian maritime activity and called for adherence to international norms, emphasizing the need for global cooperation and strict compliance with international law.

Why it matters

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global maritime chokepoint, with a significant portion of the world's oil and gas supply passing through it. Disruptions to commercial shipping in the region can have far-reaching economic and energy security implications, particularly for countries like India that rely heavily on energy imports. India's intervention at the UN underscores its concern for the safety of its citizens and the importance of maintaining unimpeded freedom of navigation and global commerce through the Strait.

The details

In his statement at the UN General Assembly debate, Harish P stressed that maritime security remains critical for India's energy and economic interests. He said India has deplored the fact that commercial shipping was made a target of military attacks in the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Harish P called for the targeting of commercial shipping and the endangering of innocent civilian crew members, or otherwise impeding the freedom of navigation and commerce in the Strait of Hormuz, to be unacceptable. He urged strict compliance with international law and the restoration of safe and unimpeded freedom of navigation and global commerce through the Strait of Hormuz.

  • The conflict in Iran and the Gulf region began on February 28, 2026.

The players

Harish P

India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, who delivered India's statement at the UN General Assembly debate on the situation in the Middle East.

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What they’re saying

“We reiterate that the targeting of commercial shipping and endangering innocent civilian crew members or otherwise impeding the freedom of navigation and commerce in the Strait of Hormuz are unacceptable.”

— Harish P, India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations

“International law in this regard must be fully respected. We strongly urge that safe and unimpeded freedom of navigation and global commerce through the Strait of Hormuz be restored at the earliest.”

— Harish P, India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations

What’s next

The UN General Assembly will continue to monitor the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and work towards de-escalating tensions and restoring safe navigation for commercial shipping.

The takeaway

India's intervention at the UN highlights its concern for the safety of its citizens and the importance of maintaining unimpeded freedom of navigation and global commerce through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global maritime chokepoint. The ongoing threats to commercial shipping in the region have far-reaching economic and energy security implications, underscoring the need for global cooperation and adherence to international law.