At a UN Security Council session, India highlights its growing role in maritime safety amid rising piracy and shipping attacks in the Arabian Sea.
Indian Navy’s Life-Saving Role Highlighted at UN
At a United Nations Security Council meeting focused on maritime safety and the protection of seafarers, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Parvathaneni Harish, lauded the Indian Navy’s efforts, stating that its “credible and swift” actions saved more than 520 lives, irrespective of the individuals’ nationalities.
Harish emphasised that over the past two years, the Navy has significantly stepped up its presence in the Western Arabian Sea, deploying more than 35 ships, carrying out over 1,000 boarding operations, and responding to upwards of 35 maritime incidents.
Protecting Global Shipping and Seafarers
- Since November 2023, the Navy has safely escorted 367 merchant vessels, transporting 14.7 million metric tonnes of cargo.
- This work is part of a broader Indian commitment to global maritime security under its MAHASAGAR vision — “Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions.”
- India also spotlighted its Information Fusion Centre — Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR), which facilitates real-time maritime intelligence sharing among countries.
Broader Implications
The Indian envoy framed these efforts as proof of India’s responsible maritime power role, reinforcing its commitment to a free, open, and rules-based maritime order.
This statement comes amid growing concerns around piracy, shipping attacks, and instability in key sea lanes — especially in the Arabian Sea and Gulf region.
