During a session at the United Nations, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed the escalating security concerns regarding commercial shipping in the Middle East. Jaishankar stated that the targeting of maritime crew members is "completely unacceptable," noting that the violence has resulted in fatalities among both Indian nationals and seafarers from other countries.

The remarks come amid a period of heightened instability in regional waters, where various shipping lanes have faced threats. While Jaishankar’s statement focused on the humanitarian impact and the safety of workers, he did not explicitly name the specific groups or state actors responsible for the attacks in his brief address. The Indian government has previously expressed concern over the safety of its citizens working in the merchant navy, as many Indian sailors are employed on vessels traversing these high-risk zones. The Minister’s comments serve as a formal diplomatic push for greater international attention to the protection of civilian maritime workers, who are increasingly caught in the crossfire of regional geopolitical conflicts.