Navigational rights must not be subject to coercion, threats: India tells UNSC

India has told a United Nations Security Council meeting that navigational rights must not be subjected to coercion, threats, unlawful restrictions or arbitrary interference, stressing that maritime insecurity has consequences far beyond the immediate threat.

“Recent disruptions to significant global maritime routes have underlined a fundamental reality: the security of maritime routes is vital to international peace, security and global prosperity,” India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni, said. He said disruptions had implications across the world, particularly for energy and food security.

Addressing an Arria-formula meeting of the Security Council on “Safe Seas, Shared Security: Protecting Freedom of Navigation in an Evolving Security Environment” on Thursday, Parvathaneni said navigational rights must not be subjected to coercion, threats, unlawful restrictions or arbitrary interference. “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.

India highlighted the wider economic impact of maritime disruptions, noting that insecurity at one chokepoint can divert pressure onto alternative routes, increase freight and insurance costs and disrupt energy and food supplies, with developing countries particularly vulnerable to such shocks.

Safety of seafarers

Referring to attacks on seafarers during ongoing conflicts and the deaths of several Indian crew members, Parvathaneni said their safety must remain at the centre of international efforts, adding that their evacuation, medical care, crew changes and repatriation required effective contingency planning and international cooperation. He called for coordinated frameworks to evacuate seafarers from conflict zones, with clearly defined responsibilities for states and international organisations.

India also flagged emerging threats, including attacks involving unmanned systems, cyber risks and interference with navigation and communications, saying international cooperation, capacity-building and responsible use of technology would be critical to addressing these challenges. India said the international response should go beyond restoring navigation after a crisis and instead focus on building a maritime system capable of withstanding shocks before they cascade into wider economic and humanitarian crises.

Parvathaneni called on countries with major interests in the safety of shipping and seafarers to work together, saying India remains ready to work with UN member states to strengthen maritime security, protect seafarers, uphold navigational freedoms and ensure resilient and uninterrupted international commerce.

India highlighted its sustained maritime security operations in the Indo-Pacific and the Gulf of Aden-Red Sea region as part of its broader commitment to these principles.