Addressing the United Nations Security Council, India named Artificial Intelligence and maritime security as core pillars for its prospective 2028–2029 term, as member states debated the dual-use threats and legal frameworks governing modern shipping lanes and autonomous naval technology.
Oceans serve as the primary arteries of international trade, sustaining economies and securing energy supplies across global waters. Yet that critical infrastructure faces mounting peril from rapid technological change. Uncrewed vessels, advanced cyber capabilities, and cheap drones are fundamentally reshaping naval operations and commercial shipping lanes. While digital automation offers unprecedented tools for maritime domain awareness and search-and-rescue coordination, the same innovations expose ports, communication networks, and undersea cables to complex security vulnerabilities.
India Outlines Priorities for UNSC Candidature
Announcing its diplomatic goals during the Security Council open debate, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Harish Parvathaneni, detailed the nation’s strategic focus as it prepares to contest an Asia-Pacific Group seat. India will compete against Tajikistan in elections scheduled for June 2027, seeking a two-year non-permanent term on the Council starting in 2028.
STORY | India says AI, maritime security key priorities for its UNSC candidature for 2028–29Maritime security and Artificial Intelligence will be key priorities for India during its candidature for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2028-29 term, India's… pic.twitter.com/RZDPv39sji
Emphasizing the need for equitable access, the Indian envoy argued that developing nations require institutional capabilities and specialized training to safeguard their maritime infrastructure. Grounding the country’s approach in regional diplomacy, Parvathaneni pointed to the Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region, which operates under the broader vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region to foster collaborative white shipping intelligence. This fusion center, hosted by the Indian Navy in Gurugram, Haryana, was launched in December 2018 and includes 12 partners to support safety across the Indian Ocean.
Emphasizing the transformative nature of these modern tools, Parvathaneni explained that artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, satellite-based surveillance, and advanced cyber capabilities offer unprecedented opportunities. However, he warned that such progress brings complex questions regarding attribution, accountability, and unintended escalation. To counter these risks, India called for appropriate safeguards, meaningful human oversight, and clearly defined responsibility when deploying emerging technologies. He further highlighted that AI-powered analysis of satellite imagery, radar information, and vessel-tracking data can help authorities identify suspicious activities and improve rescue operations.
Oceans are the arteries of global commerce, connecting economies, sustaining livelihoods and ensuring food and energy security. Their safety and security are indispensable to international peace and prosperity.
Harish Parvathaneni, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN
Global Concerns Over Autonomous Systems and Cyber Threats
The open debate, convened under the Greek presidency of the Council and chaired by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, brought together diverse diplomatic perspectives on the regulation of emerging technologies. Delegates underscored the double-edged sword of artificial intelligence and autonomous systems, which expand operational capabilities while complicating legal questions of accountability and attribution. The meeting addressed the opportunities and risks associated with uncrewed vehicles, advanced sensing capabilities, and cybertechnologies.
Representatives from member states highlighted how attacks on commercial shipping lanes disrupt global supply chains and impose severe economic uncertainty on developing countries. Pakistan’s Acting Permanent Representative to the UN, Usman Jadoon, drew attention to ongoing volatility in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab-Al-Mandab, warning that disruptions in these vital chokepoints imperil energy and food security. Jadoon strongly condemned the weaponization of Bab-Al-Mandab by Houthi militia attacks against merchant shipping and seafarers.
Other international figures also contributed insights during the high-level sessions. Earle Courtenay Rattray, the Chef de Cabinet to the Secretary-General, warned that non-state actors and terrorists can exploit new technologies, urging stronger global cooperation. Fareed Zakaria, who briefed the Council via video link, emphasized that political will is necessary to implement solutions. Meanwhile, reports noted security concerns involving potential threats to undersea internet cables in the Strait of Hormuz.
International Law and the Regulatory Framework
Amid discussions on technological proliferation, several delegations insisted that innovation must remain anchored in established legal norms. Pakistan cited the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea as the cornerstone of the international maritime order.
France noted that the International Maritime Organization adopted the first International Code of Safety for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships in May 2026, marking a significant regulatory milestone for autonomous navigation.