India Tells UNSC Secure Sea Lanes Vital For Food, Fuel Trade

India has urged the international community to work collectively to protect critical sea lanes, stressing that safe and predictable maritime routes are essential for maintaining the global movement of food, fertilisers and fuel. Speaking at the United Nations Security Council, India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni highlighted the wider humanitarian consequences of conflicts that disrupt international trade and maritime connectivity.

Parvathaneni said food insecurity remains among the most serious humanitarian consequences of armed conflicts. He noted that the effects of modern conflicts are increasingly extending beyond the areas where fighting takes place, affecting countries and populations far away from the immediate theatre of hostilities. Disruptions to shipping and supply chains can therefore create wider economic and humanitarian pressures, particularly for countries dependent on imports of essential commodities.

India stressed that the uninterrupted movement of essential goods depends heavily on the security and predictability of international maritime routes. Critical sea lanes are used to transport large quantities of energy supplies, agricultural inputs and food products between different regions. Any prolonged disruption to these routes can increase transportation costs, delay deliveries and place additional pressure on food and energy security.

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The Indian representative's remarks come against a backdrop of growing concern over the impact of armed conflicts on global trade and supply chains. Maritime disruptions can force commercial vessels to alter routes, increasing travel distances and costs while creating uncertainty for businesses and governments. For developing economies, such disruptions can have particularly serious consequences because higher import and transportation costs can affect food availability and prices.

India called for collective international efforts to ensure that vital maritime routes remain safe and open for legitimate commercial activity. The emphasis on cooperation reflects the interconnected nature of modern global trade, where disruptions in one region can quickly affect markets and consumers elsewhere. Protecting sea lanes is therefore not only a maritime security issue but also an important component of global food, energy and economic security.

The warning at the UNSC also highlighted the need to consider the humanitarian consequences of conflict beyond direct casualties and destruction. When shipping routes are disrupted, the resulting shortages or higher costs of food, fertilisers and fuel can place additional burdens on vulnerable populations. India said international cooperation to safeguard critical sea lanes would help reduce these ripple effects and support the continued flow of essential commodities during periods of conflict and instability.

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