India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has called for stronger international cooperation to safeguard global shipping routes, saying attacks on civilian vessels cannot be tolerated as the security situation in the Middle East continues to deteriorate.
Speaking on Thursday, July 23, Jaishankar said freedom of navigation and the protection of commercial shipping were essential to global trade and energy security, stressing that recent attacks on civilian vessels had heightened concerns over the safety of critical maritime corridors.
The Indian foreign minister said ensuring maritime security had become increasingly important as conflicts in the Middle East continue to threaten international shipping routes, including the Red Sea and surrounding waterways used by cargo vessels and oil tankers. He emphasised that attacks on civilian shipping undermine global stability and require a coordinated international response.
Jaishankar noted that India, one of the world’s largest trading nations, has a strong interest in maintaining safe and open sea lanes because a significant portion of its energy imports and international trade passes through the region. He said disruptions to maritime traffic could have far reaching consequences for the global economy.
His remarks come amid heightened tensions following repeated attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea and nearby waters, prompting shipping companies to reroute cargo, raising freight costs and increasing concerns over global supply chains. Several countries have stepped up naval patrols to protect merchant shipping in the region.
The minister reaffirmed India’s support for international efforts to preserve freedom of navigation and ensure that maritime disputes are resolved in accordance with international law, adding that dialogue and diplomacy remain essential to reducing regional tensions.
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