Indian Navy's Role in Global Maritime Security: Protecting 500+ Lives and Securing Critical Sea Routes

Parvathaneni Harish emphasized the Indian Navy's vital contribution to securing international maritime routes amid rising security challenges.

During a United Nations Security Council session focused on maritime safety, India's Permanent Representative Parvathaneni Harish underscored the crucial role played by the Indian Navy in maintaining security across global sea lanes as piracy incidents and attacks increase throughout the Western Arabian Sea region.

"The Indian Navy has deployed more than 35 ships in the region over the last two years, responding to the escalation of shipping attacks and piracy in the Western Arabian Sea. They have conducted over 1000 boarding operations and responded to more than 35 incidents," Harish stated at the meeting, which was jointly hosted by Greece, the Philippines, Denmark, Japan, Panama, and Romania.

During the session on "Maritime Safety and Security: Protection of Seafarers," he highlighted how the Navy's prompt and high-risk interventions have rescued hundreds of lives across national boundaries. "The Indian Navy's credible and swift actions have saved more than 520 lives, regardless of nationality," he remarked. He further noted, "Since November 2023, the Indian Navy has provided safe escort for over 367 merchant vessels, transporting more than 14.7 million metric tonnes of cargo valued at over 6.3 billion dollars."

'Credible & Swift' Indian Navy Actions Have Saved 500 Lives - Irrespective Of Nationality' - 🇮🇳 Envoy Tells UN📹 @IndiaUNNewYork pic.twitter.com/5WR0MfeN5F

— RT_India (@RT_India_news) November 22, 2025

The meeting occurred amid increasing maritime instability, including Houthi attacks in the Red Sea and resurgent piracy off Somalia's coast, disruptions that have endangered critical shipping routes and thousands of seafarers.

Harish also highlighted the effectiveness of the Information Fusion Centre–Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR), which facilitates real-time exchange of maritime intelligence.

He presented India's 'Sagar Mein Samman' initiative, part of Maritime India Vision 2030, showcasing gender-sensitive safety measures and the deployment of an all-women ship crew as examples of forward-thinking maritime policy.

"India is prepared to collaborate with the international community to enhance seafarer protection, advance gender equality, and improve the lives of those serving aboard ships," he stated, connecting these efforts to India's broader MAHASAGAR vision – "Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions."