India says secure and uninterrupted sea lanes are essential for the smooth movement of food, fertilisers, fuel and other essential commodities
United Nations (Economy India): India has called on the international community to work collectively to ensure the security of critical maritime routes, stressing that safe and uninterrupted sea lanes are essential for the smooth movement of food, fertilisers, fuel and other essential commodities.
Addressing an open debate of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Tuesday, India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Harish Parvatneni, said disruptions to maritime transport, energy markets, fertiliser supplies, humanitarian assistance and agricultural trade can have consequences far beyond the immediate area of a conflict.
The discussion was held under the theme “Food Under Fire: The Role of the Security Council in Mitigating Global and Local Food Crises.”
Conflicts Can Create Global Food Security Risks
India highlighted the growing connection between armed conflicts and global food security.
Parvatneni said food insecurity is among the most serious humanitarian consequences of armed conflicts. He noted that the impact of today’s conflicts often extends well beyond the geographical area where fighting is taking place.
Disruptions to energy markets, fertiliser supplies, maritime transportation, humanitarian assistance and agricultural trade can affect food availability and prices in countries far removed from the conflict zone.
The impact can be particularly severe for developing countries that depend heavily on imports to meet their food and essential commodity requirements.
UNSC Must Prioritise Humanitarian Impact of Conflicts
India said an immediate priority of the UN Security Council should be to reduce the humanitarian consequences of conflicts.
According to India, this requires ensuring the safe, rapid and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance to affected populations.
New Delhi also stressed that measures adopted by the Security Council, including sanctions regimes, should not unintentionally obstruct legitimate humanitarian assistance or lawful trade in food and agricultural products.
The Indian position underlines the need to balance security measures with the uninterrupted supply of essential commodities to vulnerable populations.
India Stresses Freedom of Navigation
India also emphasised the importance of protecting maritime routes used by commercial vessels in accordance with international law.
Parvatneni said safe and smooth maritime trade routes are indispensable for the uninterrupted movement of food, fertilisers, fuel and other essential goods.
He called for collective international efforts to protect critical maritime routes as well as maritime infrastructure.
At the same time, he stressed the need to ensure that legitimate commercial trade and humanitarian shipments are able to reach their destinations without undue restrictions.
Maritime Security and Food Supply Chains
The Indian intervention comes against the backdrop of growing concerns over disruptions to international shipping routes.
Commercial shipping plays a critical role in global supply chains, with food, agricultural inputs, energy products and other essential goods transported across major waterways.
Any prolonged disruption to these routes can increase transportation costs, delay deliveries and put additional pressure on commodity prices.
For developing and import-dependent economies, such disruptions can create additional risks for food security and economic stability.
Guterres Warns of Rising Food Insecurity
Speaking during the UNSC discussion, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said the number of armed conflicts worldwide reached its highest level since the end of the Second World War in 2025.
He also said the level of severe food crises globally remained close to a record high, with at least 266 million people facing severe food insecurity.
According to Guterres, 2025 was also the first year of the 21st century in which two famines were confirmed simultaneously — in Sudan and Gaza.
The UN chief described the situation as “shameful” and called for stronger international action to address the humanitarian consequences of conflicts.
Strait of Hormuz Remains Strategically Important
Guterres also referred to the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, highlighting the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz for global energy and agricultural markets.
According to him, approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil supply and around one-third of global fertiliser trade pass through the strategic waterway.
Any major disruption in the Strait of Hormuz could therefore have significant implications for energy prices, fertiliser availability and food production costs worldwide.
Red Sea Shipping Disruptions Add to Supply Risks
The UN Secretary-General also pointed to attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea, saying such incidents pose additional risks to supply chains for food and other essential commodities.
Disruptions in major shipping corridors can force vessels to take longer alternative routes, increasing journey times and transportation costs.
Higher shipping and insurance costs can ultimately affect the prices of essential commodities, placing additional pressure on consumers and economies already facing food-security challenges.
Sanctions and Blocked Routes Can Raise Costs
Guterres said restrictions and the closure of key routes have contributed to higher commodity prices and reduced availability.
The disruption of supply chains can have a cascading effect: difficulties in transporting fuel can increase freight costs, while shortages or higher prices for fertilisers can raise agricultural production costs.
These factors can eventually feed into food prices, particularly in countries that rely significantly on imports.
India Calls for Collective Action
India’s call for international cooperation reflects the importance of keeping global maritime trade routes open and secure.
The country stressed that protecting maritime infrastructure and ensuring freedom of navigation are essential not only for international trade but also for global food and energy security.
India also called for humanitarian shipments and legitimate commercial cargo to be protected from unnecessary disruptions.
Why Maritime Security Matters for the Global Economy
The security of major sea lanes has become increasingly important for the global economy.
Millions of tonnes of commodities move through international waterways every year, including:
- Food grains and agricultural products
- Fertilisers and agricultural inputs
- Crude oil and petroleum products
- Natural gas and energy resources
- Industrial raw materials
- Humanitarian supplies
Any disruption can create shortages, increase transportation expenses and contribute to inflationary pressures.
For India and other major trading economies, uninterrupted maritime connectivity is therefore an important component of economic and supply-chain security.
India’s call: Collective international action to protect critical maritime routes. Key concern: Disruptions to maritime transport can threaten global food security. Essential goods: Food, fertilisers, fuel and other commodities. UNSC priority: Reduce the humanitarian consequences of armed conflicts. Food insecurity: At least 266 million people faced severe food insecurity, according to the UN Secretary-General. Strait of Hormuz: Handles about one-fifth of global oil supply and around one-third of global fertiliser trade, according to Guterres. Red Sea: Attacks on commercial vessels are adding pressure to global supply chains.
India has urged the international community to adopt a collective approach to protecting critical maritime routes and infrastructure, warning that disruptions to global shipping can have serious consequences for food security, energy markets and economic stability.
India’s message at the UN Security Council emphasised that maritime security is not merely a trade or strategic issue. It is also directly connected to the availability and affordability of food, fertilisers, fuel and humanitarian supplies.
With conflicts increasingly affecting global supply chains far beyond their immediate geographical locations, keeping major maritime corridors secure and ensuring freedom of navigation could become increasingly important for global economic stability and food security.
(Economy India)
