NEW DELHI: India has called for an immediate de-escalation of tensions in West Asia following a fresh escalation of hostilities in the region, while strongly condemning recent attacks on commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. New Delhi said attacks on civilian shipping must stop and free navigation through international waterways should be restored at the earliest.Addressing a United Nations Security Council open debate on the situation in the Middle East on Tuesday, India’s permanent representative to the UN, ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, said the recent rise in violence after a brief pause in the conflict was “deeply concerning.”“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,” Harish said.India also strongly condemned attacks on several vessels, including GFS Galaxy, MT Al Bahiyah and MT Mombasa, during their transit through the Strait of Hormuz earlier this month. The attacks affected Indian nationals, with one Indian killed, another reported missing and several others injured, including some seriously.“India has consistently condemned acts of violence targeting seafarers and disrupting free and safe navigation through international waterways like the Strait of Hormuz,” Harish said.He added, “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.”The remarks come amid the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran. According to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz closed again on July 11 following attacks on commercial vessels that began on July 6. Daily vessel transits, which exceeded 100 before the conflict and had recovered to 49 by July 7, fell to as low as eight to 15 by the middle of July.Harish said West Asia is a region of immense importance for India as the country’s trade, energy supply chains and economic interests are closely linked to it. India has annual bilateral trade of around $180 billion with the region, cumulative foreign direct investment of more than $31 billion and receives over $52 billion in remittances from Gulf Cooperation Council countries.He also noted that around 10 million Indians live and work in the Gulf region and said, “Their safety and well-being are a key priority for us.”India also urged the international community not to lose sight of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza while focusing on developments in the Strait of Hormuz.“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,” Harish said.Reaffirming India’s long-standing position on the Israel-Palestine issue, he said, “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.”Harish added that India’s development assistance to Palestine amounts to around $175 million.On Yemen, India reaffirmed its commitment to the country’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity 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 peacekeepers serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon operate under challenging circumstances and should never become targets. Harish said India strongly condemns all attacks on UNIFIL peacekeepers and added, “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.”
