Amid moves in the UN Security Council to secure shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz, the External Affairs Ministry in Delhi said “We stand for free and open commercial shipping and for maritime security in keeping with international law. We continue to call for ensuring safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz as a matter of priority.”
The statement came after Bahrain, which holds the rotating presidency of the 15-member Security Council for April, circulated a revised draft that drops an explicit reference to binding enforcement under Chapter VII of the UN Charter. This was aimed at addressing concerns from countries like China and Russia, which are seen as unlikely to support any resolution that could open the door to military action against Iran.
Despite the changes, the draft retains strong language, including provisions that would allow states to use “all necessary means commensurate with the circumstances”, to ensure safe passage of commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, the Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
But the revisions have not been enough. China, Russia and France reportedly raised fresh concerns, thereby stalling its adoption. Bahrain’s UN ambassador Jamal Fares Alrowaiei acknowledged the challenges, saying the text still requires “a lot of work. There are ongoing communications and discussions with the Council members to bring a convergence of views and find a draft that can garner consensus,” he said.
The diplomatic bickering comes against the backdrop of a worsening energy crisis triggered by the conflict in West Asia. The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway through which roughly a fifth of global oil and gas supplies pass, has been effectively shut since hostilities escalated last month.
Shipping activity has slowed sharply after Iran targeted vessels in retaliation for US and Israeli strikes, leading to what is being described as one of the most severe disruptions to global energy flows. There is still no clear international plan to reopen the route.
Early in the conflict, US President Donald Trump had pushed for naval escorts to secure commercial shipping, even urging allies to contribute. However, he has since signalled that the United States may step back, saying other countries, particularly in Europe, should take the lead.
France, meanwhile, has indicated a more cautious approach. French naval chief Admiral Nicolas Vaujour said efforts are underway to build broader consensus on how to reopen the strait in a “lasting way,” even as Paris has pushed back against using NATO for offensive operations in the region.
India’s position reflects a careful balancing act. Heavily dependent on energy imports, with a significant portion routed through the Strait of Hormuz, New Delhi has a direct stake in restoring normal shipping.
At the same time, it has avoided taking sides in the escalating conflict or backing any resolution that could escalate tensions further.
By stressing on “international law” and “free navigation,” India has aligned itself with the broader principle of maritime security without endorsing the more contentious elements of Bahrain’s proposal.
