Terming West Asia as a region of “immense importance” to India, Permanent Representative of India to the UN Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish said, “After a brief pause in the ongoing conflict in the region, there has been a worrying resumption of attacks and escalation of hostilities. This is deeply concerning and India calls for an immediate de-escalation of tensions.” Addressing a UN Security Council open debate on the situation in the Middle East on July 28, Harish voiced India’s strong condemnation of attacks on several vessels – GFS Galaxy, MT Al Bahiyah and MT Mombasa among them – during their transit through the Strait of Hormuz this month.
“Several Indian citizens were injured, including some seriously, one Indian tragically lost his life, and one is missing, in these attacks. India has consistently condemned acts of violence targeting seafarers and disrupting free and safe navigation through international waterways like the Strait of Hormuz,” he said.
India strongly advocates a return to dialogue and diplomacy in the interests of peace, security and stability in the region.
“The targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the region must end, and free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through the international waterways in the region, in keeping with international law, must be restored,” Harish said.
Amid the US-Israel war against Iran, the UN has noted that following attacks on commercial vessels from July 6, Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz closed again on July 11.
Daily transits, which exceeded 100 before the conflict and had recovered to 49 by July 7, fell to as low as 8-15 by mid-July, the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific has said.
Harish underscored that India’s stakes in the security and stability of the region are high and noted that India’s trade and energy supply chains are strongly linked to the West Asia region.
With bilateral annual trade of around USD 180 billion, cumulative Foreign Direct Investment of over USD 31 billion, and remittance of more than USD 52 billion from Gulf Cooperation Council alone, these linkages have direct implications for India’s economy and energy security.
Around 10 million Indians live and work in the Gulf region. “Their safety and well being are a key priority for us,” he said.
Harish, who delivered the statement in English, switched to Arabic as he spoke about the situation in the Gaza Strip, India’s development assistance to the Palestinian people and India’s long standing support for the two-state solution.
Speaking in Arabic, Harish told the Security Council that the world’s focus on the Strait of Hormuz must not divert “our attention away from the dire humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip”.
The loss of civilian lives and destruction of civilian infrastructure are pressing concerns that the international community must act on immediately, with a deep sense of urgency, he said.
Continuing in Arabic, Harish said that India is firmly committed to efforts that make a tangible impact on the daily lives of the Palestinians and Delhi’s development assistance amounts to around USD 175 million, ranging from development projects, humanitarian assistance and contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), among others.
“India has been a top emerging donor of UNRWA and we have given operational flexibility to the UN Agency for utilising our contributions,” he said.
Earlier this month, at the Palestine donor group meeting in Brussels, India announced its commitment to establishing a speciality hospital, an artificial limb fitment centre and a vocational training institute for Palestine. India’s ongoing projects include the construction of the Palestinian Institute of Diplomacy, he said.
He added that the international community should simultaneously press ahead for a sustainable and durable political solution, even as it works on alleviating the humanitarian distress of the Palestinian people.
“India believes that a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine living side by side in peace with Israel, within secure and recognised borders, is essential to a comprehensive and lasting solution,” he said in Arabic.
On Yemen, India reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the West Asian country and rejected any interference in its internal affairs.
“We further condemn attacks by Houthis on maritime navigation. The protection of the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Southern Red Sea is a shared international responsibility and is a global interest,” Harish said.
On Lebanon, India said UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeepers serve in challenging circumstances, pursuing UN Security Council mandates and therefore, must never become targets. India has strongly condemned all attacks on UNIFIL peacekeepers, stressing that their safety and security are a priority.
“Further, it is important to be ready for a post-UNIFIL scenario, and in this context, the Lebanese Armed Forces must receive requisite support and assistance,” Harish said.