India Calls for Global Action on Critical Sea Lane Security

India has urged the international community to collaborate in protecting vital sea lanes, emphasizing their crucial role in ensuring the uninterrupted global supply of food, fertilizers, and fuel.

This call was made during a UN Security Council debate focused on mitigating global food crises. India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni, highlighted the severe impact of armed conflicts on worldwide food security.

Disruptions to Global Supply Chains

Ambassador Parvathaneni explained that armed conflicts create widespread food insecurity through multiple disruptions. These disruptions directly affect essential components of the global economy.

• Energy markets are destabilized.
• Fertilizer supplies face significant interruptions.
• Maritime transport routes become unpredictable.
• Agricultural trade is severely hampered.

The Ambassador stressed the critical need for secure and predictable maritime routes. He also advocated for timely and objective assessments of supply chain disruptions to address these challenges effectively.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres further underscored the severity of the global situation. He noted that 2025 marked the highest number of armed conflicts since World War II, coinciding with record levels of acute hunger globally.

• Famines are ongoing in Sudan and Gaza.
• Conflicts, such as the US-Israel war against Iran, threaten global supply chains.
• Key maritime passages like the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea are particularly vulnerable.

India’s Vision for Food Security

To enhance global food security and reduce reliance on single production models, India advocated for a multifaceted approach. These strategies aim to build resilience across the food supply system.

• Strengthening domestic agricultural production capacities.
• Diversifying global supply chains to prevent single points of failure.
• Improving essential infrastructure for food storage and transport.
• Promoting climate-resilient crops, such as millets, to adapt to environmental changes.

India’s appeal for international cooperation aims to ensure that critical maritime routes remain open and secure. This collective effort is essential for maintaining stability in the global provision of vital commodities.