4 min readNew DelhiUpdated: Jul 29, 2026 10:20 AM IST
India has expressed its deep concerns over the escalation of violence in West Asia and condemned the recent attacks on maritime vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
Calling the resumption of attacks and hostilities in the region “deeply concerning”, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish called for “immediate de-escalation of tensions”.
Harish made the remarks while addressing a UN Security Council open debate on the ongoing situation in the Middle East.
Terming West Asia as a region of “immense importance” for India, the envoy called for restoration of unimpeded navigation and trade through international waterways in the region, PTI reported.
“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,” he told the UN Security Council.
He also voiced India’s strong condemnation over attacks on several vessels, including GFS Galaxy, MT Al Bahiyah and MT Mombasa, attacked during 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.
Story continues below this ad
There have been 29 incidents of attacks on vessels carrying Indian seafarers, with sources in the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways saying nine Indian seafarers have died, one presumed dead, and seven have been injured as of July 15.
At the UN address, the India envoy strongly advocated 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 at the earliest,” Harish said.
He highlighted that India’s stakes in the security and stability in the West Asian region are high, pointing to New Delhi’s trade and energy supply chains strongly linked to the region.
Story continues below this ad
The bilateral annual trade between the two is of around 180 billion dollars, while the cumulative Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is of over 31 billion dollars. India receives over 52 billion dollars from Gulf Cooperation Council as remittances from 10 million nationals living and working in the Gulf region.
What India said on Gaza conflict
Harish said 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 175 million dollars.
The envoy called on the international community to press for a sustainable and durable political solution on the Gaza conflict.
“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.
Story continues below this ad
On Yemen, India reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the 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,” he said.
On Lebanon, India said UN Interim Force in Lebanon peacekeepers serve in challenging circumstances and must never become targets.
