India has placed maritime security and artificial intelligence (AI) at the core of its bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2028–29 term.
During a high-level discussion at the Security Council, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni, emphasized that the focus should be on making shared maritime domains more secure, rather than turning them into centers of conflict.
India is contesting for a non-permanent seat on the Security Council for the term beginning in 2028. The election is scheduled for June next year, with India and Tajikistan competing for the sole seat allocated to the Asia-Pacific group.
India Raises the Issue of AI and Maritime Security
Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni stated, “India has identified AI (artificial intelligence) and maritime security as key priorities for its candidacy for the Security Council for the 2028–2029 term.” He further added, “Our objective is clear: technology should strengthen human security, not undermine it. It should expand opportunities rather than exacerbate inequality, and it should make our shared maritime spaces more secure, rather than fraught with conflict.”
Addressing the threats posed by cyber risks and attacks on commercial vessels, the Indian Ambassador noted, “Developing nations require access to technology, training, and institutional capacity-building to secure their maritime infrastructure and to participate meaningfully in shaping the governance of technology.”
Referring to recent attacks on commercial vessels, Ambassador Parvathaneni remarked, “These attacks endanger seafarers, disrupt supply chains, and impose a severe burden on developing nations in the form of increased costs and economic uncertainty.” This discussion took place at a time when the Iranian Navy reported that three oil tankers had struck sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz, resulting in fires. This incident highlights the various maritime threats that exist.
AI to help strengthen security
Harish Parvathaneni stated, “With the help of AI, we can analyze satellite imagery, radar data, and vessel-tracking information to gain a better understanding of the maritime domain and detect suspicious activities.”
The Indian Ambassador further noted, “The ‘Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region’ (IFC-IOR), based in India, demonstrates the critical importance of mutual cooperation and information sharing in strengthening maritime security.”
Parvathaneni added, “Our approach is guided by the ‘SAGAR’ (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision, which reflects our broad commitment to inclusive maritime cooperation.”
The Indian Ambassador further remarked, “The increasing use of autonomous systems makes it difficult to determine the origin of an incident—who is responsible, where accountability lies, and the risk that a situation might inadvertently escalate. Therefore, we must ensure that the deployment of emerging technologies includes appropriate safeguards, meaningful human oversight, and clearly defined responsibilities.”
