Jaishankar flags maritime security risks at Japan AZEC Plus meet

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said that attacks on merchant shipping are “completely unacceptable” while participating in the Japan-hosted AZEC Plus meeting, underlining India’s commitment to safe and uninterrupted maritime transit.

His remarks come amid a rise in attacks and security threats targeting commercial vessels in key global shipping routes, particularly in West Asia. These incidents have raised concerns over the safety of critical sea lanes such as the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant share of global energy supplies is transported.

In a post shared after the meeting, Jaishankar said India remains strongly committed to ensuring the safe and unimpeded passage of maritime shipping and stressed that global economic growth depends on secure energy supply chains.

The meeting, convened by Japan under the AZEC Plus framework, focused on disruptions in global energy markets and supply chains, particularly amid ongoing tensions in West Asia.

Jaishankar highlighted that as a major energy consumer, India would work with like-minded partners to strengthen supply chain resilience and ensure stability in energy flows. He added that global growth requires energy markets to remain unconstrained.

Participants at the meeting also discussed the importance of safeguarding critical sea routes and emphasised coordinated international efforts to maintain secure maritime routes and stable energy supplies, with Asian economies identified as among the most affected by disruptions in energy flows.