External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday warned of growing threats to commercial shipping and seafarers, saying repeated attacks on civilian vessels across key maritime routes were a serious cause for concern.
Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Jaishankar said attacks on civilian shipping had become increasingly frequent.
“From the Black Sea to the Red Sea to the Gulf, attacks on civilian shipping have become a growing cause of concern,” he said.
Jaishankar described attacks on civilian shipping as “simply indefensible” and stressed the need for greater international attention to the safety of ships and seafarers. Recent reporting on his remarks said he referred to attacks in the Gulf of Oman and Strait of Hormuz that affected Indian seafarers.
India, Liberia launch shipping safety group
Jaishankar said India and Liberia had joined hands to draw international attention to the safety and security of ships and seafarers.
India is a major source of seafarers, while Liberia operates one of the world’s largest ship registries. The two countries have therefore sought to bring together countries to focus on maritime safety amid rising risks along major shipping routes. The United Nations calendar confirms that India and Liberia jointly organised the launch of the Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers during the UNGA high-level week.
The initiative comes as conflicts and geopolitical tensions have increasingly affected commercial shipping and freedom of navigation. The UN secretary-general has also warned that threats to seafarers and disruptions to maritime trade are affecting the global supply of fuel, fertilisers and food.
Attacks across Gulf, Red Sea and Black Sea
Jaishankar pointed to repeated incidents involving commercial vessels in the Gulf, Red Sea and Black Sea.
According to reports on his remarks, he cited recent attacks in the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz that affected Indian crew members. He also referred to incidents involving Indian seafarers in the Black Sea, highlighting the wider risks faced by civilian shipping in conflict-affected waters.
The minister’s comments underline India’s concern over the impact of maritime insecurity on both the safety of its large seafarer community and the movement of international commerce.
India has previously raised maritime security concerns
India has previously called for the protection of civilian crews and the restoration of safe and unimpeded maritime passage through critical waterways.
At a UN Security Council meeting in April, India said attacks targeting commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz had endangered civilian crew members and resulted in the deaths of Indian seafarers. It also highlighted measures including a 24/7 helpline for seafarers and greater maritime information-sharing through the Information Fusion Centre–Indian Ocean Region.
Jaishankar’s latest remarks at the UNGA therefore place the safety of civilian shipping and seafarers at the centre of India’s wider diplomatic engagement on maritime security.
Why shipping security matters
Maritime routes are critical to global commerce, with the UN noting that at least 80% of international trade moves by sea. Disruptions caused by conflict, attacks or restrictions on navigation can affect not only shipping companies but also energy supplies, food, fertiliser and wider supply chains.
The launch of the India-Liberia-led Group of Friends reflects an effort to build greater international cooperation around the protection of ships and seafarers as maritime risks continue to affect major global trade routes.
