S Jaishankar told the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Atlanta that the Strait of Hormuz has become a battleground for civilian shipping, with attacks escalating after the US‑Iran war.
He warned that the Global South bears the brunt of these hostilities, as rising fuel, food and fertilizer prices ripple through developing economies.
Jaishankar cited the recent twin incidents on Oct 29‑30, where a Liberia‑flagged VLCC and a Panama‑flagged crude tanker, both carrying Indian crew, were struck by limpet mines and projectile fire.
India and Liberia have responded by launching a joint initiative to protect seafarers, a move that underscores the need for international law to enforce freedom of navigation.
The minister also urged other nations not to overlook terrorism risks amid strategic calculations, reminding that the region’s volatility threatens industrialisation and market access.
The next step will see the initiative's framework adopted at the upcoming UN Maritime Security forum, where India is slated to present a detailed proposal.