India's Big Message On Hormuz At UN: 'Targeting of Commercial Shipping Unacceptable'

India raised serious concerns over threats to commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz at the United Nations. India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Harish P, urged immediate restoration of safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz while calling for restraint and de-escalation amid ongoing tensions in West Asia. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital 55-km-wide maritime choke point between Iran and Oman, managing roughly 20 per cent of global oil trade.Delivering India's statement at the UN General Assembly debate under the Veto Initiative on "The Situation in the Middle East," Harish P stressed that maritime security remains critical for India's energy and economic interests. "An aspect of particular concern for India, for its energy and economic security,

relates to commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. India has deplored the fact that commercial shipping was made a target of military attacks in this conflict," he said."Since the outbreak of the conflict in Iran and the Gulf region on 28 February 2026, India had expressed deep concern and urged all states to exercise restraint, avoid escalation and prioritise safety of civilians. We have urged all states to promote dialogue and diplomacy and de-escalation of tensions, and to purposefully address underlying issues. We have also called for respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states," he said.

#WATCH | Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations, Parvathaneni Harish, says, "Since the outbreak of the conflict in Iran and the Gulf region on 28 February 2026, India had expressed deep concern and urged all states to exercise restraint, avoid escalation and… pic.twitter.com/I4YvKcOnNX

— ANI (@ANI) April 17, 2026

Indian nationals have been the victim of the conflict, the ambassador noted. "The precious lives of Indian seafarers aboard ships have been lost during the course of the conflict. We reiterate that the targeting of commercial shipping and endangering innocent civilian crew members, or otherwise impeding the freedom of navigation and commerce in the Strait of Hormuz, are unacceptable. International law in this regard must be fully respected. We strongly urge that safe and unimpeded freedom of navigation and global commerce through the Strait of Hormuz be restored at the earliest," he said. Earlier, India had joined a meeting of over 60 countries in the UK to explore ways to reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz, hit by the US-Israel-Iran war.