India condemns attacks on commercial shipping in Strait of Hormuz, calling them 'unacceptable'

India has strongly condemned attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, calling them ‘unacceptable’. India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Parvathaneni Harish, said targeting civilian crew and disrupting freedom of navigation cannot be justified. He was speaking at a special meeting of the United Nations Economic and Social Council on safeguarding global energy and supply flows.

Mr Harish’s remarks came days after an India-flagged commercial vessel was attacked off the coast of Oman. Omani authorities rescued all 14 crew members of the ship, which was sailing from Somalia, though the attackers have not been identified. The May 13 attack took place amid rising tensions in West Asia and growing concerns over security in the Strait of Hormuz, through which nearly one-fifth of the world’s energy supplies pass. At least two other India-flagged vessels have also come under attack since the conflict in the region escalated earlier this year.