India co-sponsors resolution passed by UNSC against Iran, Pg13

Key Highlights:

• India co-sponsored a UNSC resolution with 134 countries against Iran's attacks on GCC countries.
• The resolution demands an immediate cessation of attacks by Iran against Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan.
• 13 UNSC members voted for the resolution, while Russia and China abstained.
• The resolution condemns actions interfering with navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
• India has about 10 million diaspora in GCC countries and relies on the region for energy security.
• India discontinued energy imports from Iran in 2019 due to the threat of U.S. sanctions.

Detailed Insights:

• India's support for the resolution is driven by concerns for its large diaspora in the GCC countries and its energy security needs, with about 50% of crude oil and 90% of LPG imports coming from the region.
• The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has condemned specific Iranian actions, including attacks on various countries, buildings in Dubai, Omani facilities, and a Thai ship bound for India.
• India has not condemned attacks by the U.S. and Israel on Iran, which resulted in an estimated 1,255 deaths, including Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, or the sinking of the Iranian ship IRIS Dena.
• Former diplomats have criticized India's "silence" on U.S. and Israeli actions, suggesting that India's sponsorship of the UN resolution endorses a narrative that ignores the escalation that preceded Iranian retaliation.
• Former Foreign Secretaries have suggested India should have condoled the death of Ayatollah Khamenei and asserted itself in the face of U.S. actions, particularly regarding the sinking of the IRIS Dena.
• The MEA has issued statements regretting the loss of lives and underlining the need for prioritizing the safety of all civilians in the ongoing conflict.

Key Concepts Involved:

• UNSC Resolution: A formal expression of the opinion or will of the United Nations Security Council.
• GCC Countries: A regional intergovernmental political and economic union consisting of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
• Strait of Hormuz: A narrow waterway between Iran and Oman that connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, a vital route for global oil supplies.