<h3>Overview</h3> <p>On <strong>16 April 2026</strong>, India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, <strong>Harish Parvathaneni</strong>, raised a strong objection to the targeting of <span class="key-term" data-definition="Commercial shipping – the movement of goods by sea for trade; crucial for India’s import of oil, coal and other commodities (GS3: Economy)">commercial shipping</span> in the ongoing <span class="key-term" data-definition="West Asia conflict – the current hostilities in the Middle‑East region that disrupt trade routes and affect geopolitical stability (GS2: Polity)">West Asia conflict</span>. India described the attacks as “deplorable” and urged the immediate restoration of <span class="key-term" data-definition="Freedom of navigation – the principle that ships of all nations may sail safely and without discrimination through international waters (GS2: Polity)">freedom of navigation</span> and global commerce through the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Strait of Hormuz – a narrow waterway between Oman and Iran that serves as a strategic chokepoint for a large share of world oil shipments (GS3: Economy, GS2: Polity)">Strait of Hormuz</span>. </p> <h3>Key Developments</h3> <ul> <li>India labeled the attacks on merchant vessels as “deplorable”.</li> <li>Ambassador Parvathaneni appealed to the <span class="key-term" data-definition="UN General Assembly – the main deliberative organ of the United Nations where all 193 member states convene (GS2: Polity)">UN General Assembly</span> to ensure unimpeded navigation.</li> <li>India highlighted the link between safe shipping in the Strait and its <span class="key-term" data-definition="Energy security – the ability of a nation to secure reliable, affordable energy supplies for its economic and strategic needs (GS3: Economy)">energy and economic security</span>.</li> <li>The statement underscores India’s diplomatic stance on protecting global trade routes amid regional turbulence.</li> </ul> <h3>Important Facts</h3> <p>The <span class="key-term" data-definition="Strait of Hormuz – a narrow waterway between Oman and Iran that serves as a strategic chokepoint for a large share of world oil shipments (GS3: Economy, GS2: Polity)">Strait of Hormuz</span> handles roughly <strong>20% of the world’s petroleum trade</strong>. Any disruption directly impacts India’s oil imports, which account for about <strong>80% of its energy mix</strong>. The <span class="key-term" data-definition="West Asia conflict – the current hostilities in the Middle‑East region that disrupt trade routes and affect geopolitical stability (GS2: Polity)">West Asia conflict</span> has already seen several merchant vessels targeted, raising concerns over the safety of <span class="key-term" data-definition="Commercial shipping – the movement of goods by sea for trade; crucial for India’s import of oil, coal and other commodities (GS3: Economy)">commercial shipping</span> lanes. </p> <h3>UPSC Relevance</h3> <