Attacks on merchant shipping completely unacceptable: EAM Jaishankar at AZEC-Plus meet

TOKYO: External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Wednesday underlined India’s strong commitment to safe and unimpeded transit passage of maritime shipping while assuring that India will continue to work with like-minded partners to develop supply chain resilience.

Delivering remarks at the AZEC-Plus meeting convened by Japan to discuss supply chain disruptions in the energy markets, EAM Jaishankar reiterated New Delhi's stance that attacks on merchant shipping are completely unacceptable.

"Participated in the ‘AZEC Plus’ meeting convened by Japan to discuss supply chain disruptions in the energy markets. Underlined India’s strong commitment to safe and unimpeded transit passage of maritime shipping," EAM Jaishankar posted on X after the meeting.

"Attacks on merchant shipping are completely unacceptable. Global growth demands that energy markets are not constricted. As a major energy consumer, India will work with like-minded partners to develop supply chain resilience," he added.

Several top leaders, including Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Philippines President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr, Thailand PM Anutin Charnvirakul, Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, also addressed the virtual gathering during the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Plus Online Summit on Energy Resilience hosted by the government of Japan.