India reiterated its commitment to global maritime security at a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) session on maritime safety, where India’s Permanent Representative Parvathaneni Harish detailed the Indian Navy’s expanded operations across the Western Arabian Sea. Speaking at the meeting, Harish emphasised that the Navy has become a crucial stabilising force in a region witnessing a surge in piracy attempts, hostile drone activity and attacks on commercial shipping.
The session, co-hosted by Greece, the Philippines, Denmark, Japan, Panama and Romania, focused on “Maritime Safety and Security: Protection of Seafarers” and brought attention to the escalating threats facing global sea routes and the people who operate them.
Indian Navy’s expanded presence in high-risk waters
Harish revealed that the Indian Navy has markedly intensified its operations to safeguard commercial shipping. “Over the last two years, in response to shipping attacks and rising incidents of piracy in the Western Arabian Sea, the Indian Navy has deployed over 35 ships in the region, carried out more than 1,000 boarding operations and has responded to over 35 incidents,” he said.
These operations, he noted, often involved high-risk interventions, including armed rescue missions, anti-piracy actions and emergency escorts. “The credible and swift actions of the Indian Navy have saved more than 520 lives, irrespective of nationality,” he added. According to Harish, this humanitarian outreach reflects India’s long-standing maritime philosophy of ensuring safety for all seafarers across the Indian Ocean Region.
Escorted vessels and cargo safeguarded
Since November 2023, the Navy has undertaken extensive escort missions for at-risk cargo vessels navigating volatile waters. “The Indian Navy has safely escorted over 367 merchant vessels, carrying over 14.7 million metric tonnes of cargo, valued at over 6.3 billion dollars,” Harish told the UNSC.
These vessels, belonging to multiple nations, were routed through corridors threatened by militias and pirate groups. Naval teams, often positioned aboard the merchant vessels themselves, provided layered protection using warships, maritime patrol aircraft and real-time threat assessments from shore-based command centres.
Rising instability in global shipping lanes
The session came at a time of heightened maritime instability. Frequent Houthi strikes on commercial ships in the Red Sea, renewed pirate networks re-emerging near the Somalia coast and drone attacks on oil tankers have collectively disrupted some of the world’s most vital shipping corridors. Thousands of seafarers have found themselves navigating high-stress, high-risk routes, putting global trade and essential supply chains under strain.
Delegates at the meeting noted that disruptions in these waters directly affect energy supplies, food imports and commercial supply routes for dozens of countries spanning Asia, Africa and Europe.
IFC–IOR’s role in intelligence sharing
Harish also emphasised the critical role of the Information Fusion Centre–Indian Ocean Region (IFC–IOR), headquartered in Gurugram. The centre, he said, enables seamless intelligence sharing between partner nations and supports real-time coordination to track threats, suspicious vessels and distress signals.
IFC–IOR has grown into a major hub for maritime domain awareness with participation from over 50 partner countries and multinational organisations. Its intelligence feeds have supported several at-sea rescues and piracy interdictions in the past year alone.
India’s gender-inclusive maritime initiatives
In his address, Harish showcased India’s Sagar Mein Samman initiative under the Maritime India Vision 2030 framework. He highlighted India’s growing emphasis on gender-sensitive safety measures, including dedicated welfare frameworks for women seafarers and the recent deployment of an all-women ship crew — a landmark for Indian maritime operations.
These measures, Harish stated, signal India’s commitment to modern, inclusive maritime policies that recognise and uplift the role of women in seafaring professions.
India reaffirms commitment to global partnerships
Concluding his address, Harish said, “India stands ready to work with the international community to strengthen seafarer protection, promote gender equality and improve the lives of those who serve aboard ships.” His remarks tied into India’s broader MAHASAGAR vision, which positions the country as a collaborative maritime partner focused on security, sustainability and respect for seafarers.
As piracy networks reconfigure and conflict-driven risks intensify across the Western Arabian Sea and adjoining waterways, India’s expanding naval footprint has strengthened international confidence in securing global maritime commerce.