NEW DELHI: India on Thursday raised concern over maritime security and energy stability amid the grappling global situation due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia. India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri voiced the country’s concern while participating in a high-level meeting convened by the United Kingdom virtually. More than 60 countries participated in the meeting.
In his remarks at the meeting, Foreign Secretary Misri noted the importance of the principles of freedom of navigation and unimpeded transit through international waterways. He emphasised the impact of the crisis on India’s energy security and the fact that India remains the only country to have lost mariners in attacks on merchant shipping in the Gulf. He also underlined that the way out of the crisis consisted of de-escalation and a return to the path of diplomacy and dialogue among all concerned parties, according to a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
At the invitation of the UK, India joined the meeting to explore ways to reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz, whose closure has sent oil prices spiralling, the MEA said.