India Pitches AI and Maritime Security for UNSC
Why in News?
- India's Permanent Representative P Harish told a UN Security Council open debate on 29 October 2026 that AI and maritime security are priorities for India's bid for a non-permanent seat, DD News reported on 30 October.
- The debate on emerging technologies and maritime security was convened by Greece, the Council president.
- India is a candidate for the 2028-29 term, and the election is next year.
Key Terminologies
- Non-Permanent Member
- One of the ten elected members of the UN Security Council, chosen by the General Assembly for two-year terms. The five permanent members are China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
- Open Debate
- A Security Council meeting in which non-members can speak. Greece convened this debate as Council president.
- SAGAR
- Security and Growth for All in the Region, India's maritime vision announced in 2015. India offered cooperation under this vision in the debate.
- Information Fusion Centre - Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR)
- A centre set up in 2018, hosted by the Indian Navy near New Delhi. It shares maritime information and has 12 partners, according to the debate remarks.
- Freedom of Navigation
- The right of ships to pass through international waters without interference. It is a principle of the law of the sea.
Key Issues
- Competition for the Seat: India is seeking a seat for 2028-29, and the election is next year. Candidates in a regional group compete for support, and the article does not report the outcome or the rivals.
- Threats to Shipping: Iran's Navy said three oil tankers in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman Between Iran (north) and Oman (south) Narrowest width About 33 km Oil…">Strait of Hormuz hit sea mines and caught fire on the day of the debate. Such attacks raise costs for trade and endanger seafarers.
- Subsea Cables: Fareed Zakaria told the Council that about 95 per cent of global digital communications travel via subsea cables. A senior Iranian officer warned last week that undersea cables in the Strait of Hormuz could be attacked if Iran's infrastructure were attacked, according to the report.
- Misuse of Technology: The UN Secretary-General's Chef de Cabinet warned that non-state actors, including terrorists, could exploit new technologies.
- Burden on Developing Countries: Harish said attacks on commercial vessels hurt developing countries through higher costs, which shows the economic side of maritime insecurity.
Key Implications
Positive/Pros/Merits
- Agenda Setting: India has linked its candidature to two current themes, AI and maritime security, which raises its profile before the vote.
- Credible Record: India pointed to the IFC-IOR with 12 partners and the SAGAR vision as examples of practical cooperation.
- Diplomatic Work: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis co-chaired a high-level discussion on AI and maritime security last month, which shows prior groundwork.
- Principle: Harish said technology must strengthen human security and not undermine it, a message that suits the Global South.
Negative/Cons/Demerits
- No Guarantee: The election is next year, and the article does not give support figures or regional endorsement details.
- Security Tensions: Attacks in the Strait of Hormuz affect India's energy imports and seafarers, and India has limited control over them.
- Limits of Debate: Open debates produce statements and not binding decisions, so their effect depends on later Council action.
- Rising Technology Risks: AI and subsea cables lack settled international rules, which makes it hard to give quick solutions.
Key Initiatives
- India's Candidature: India is contesting a non-permanent seat for the 2028-29 term, with AI and maritime security named as priorities by P Harish.
- Open Debate Statement: At the Council debate on emerging technologies and maritime security, India condemned attacks on commercial vessels and stressed freedom of navigation and seafarer safety.
- SAGAR and IFC-IOR: India offered cooperation under SAGAR and cited the Information Fusion Centre - Indian Ocean Region, set up in 2018 with 12 partners.
- Ministerial Discussion: Jaishankar and Gerapetritis co-chaired a high-level discussion on AI and maritime security last month.
- Greek Presidency: Greece, as Council president, convened the debate, which was chaired by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
India's stated approach is to link its Security Council bid with practical contributions on technology and the maritime domain. The election will take place next year, and the report does not give details of rival candidates or voting dates.
Director's Perspective
Way Forward
- Build support among Asia-Pacific Group members early, with bilateral outreach to smaller states.
- Offer concrete capacity help on maritime domain awareness and cyber security of cables through the IFC-IOR and SAGAR.
- Press for rules on responsible use of AI in military and maritime settings.
- Coordinate with partners on safe passage and protection of seafarers in conflict zones.
- Link the candidature with the case for Council reform.
India's pitch combines two themes of the day: AI and the safety of the seas. The debate on 29 October showed that attacks on ships and risks to subsea cables are present concerns, and India has offered its maritime partnership as part of its answer. The election is next year and the outcome is uncertain. In a Mains answer, link the bid to India's maritime strategy, its Global South voice and its case for Security Council reform.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
What did India say at the UN Security Council debate?
India's Permanent Representative P Harish told the open debate on emerging technologies and maritime security that AI and maritime security are priorities for India's candidature for a non-permanent seat. He said technology must strengthen human security, condemned attacks on commercial vessels and stressed freedom of navigation and seafarer safety.
For which term is India seeking a Security Council seat?
India is contesting a non-permanent seat for the two-year term 2028-29, and the election is due next year, according to DD News. Non-permanent members are elected by the UN General Assembly, and ten such members serve alongside the five permanent members.
What is the Information Fusion Centre - Indian Ocean Region?
The IFC-IOR is a centre set up in 2018 and hosted by the Indian Navy near New Delhi to share information on maritime activity with partner countries. India cited it at the debate and said it has 12 partners, as part of its offer of cooperation under the SAGAR vision.
Why are subsea cables important for maritime security?
About 95 per cent of global digital communications travel through subsea cables, Fareed Zakaria told the Security Council. Damage to the cables can disrupt internet, finance and communications, so protecting them is part of maritime security, and the debate heard a warning about possible attacks in the Strait of Hormuz.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 Non-permanent members of the UN Security Council are elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms.
There are ten of them alongside the five permanent members.
2 India is seeking a non-permanent Security Council seat for the 2028-29 term.
P Harish said AI and maritime security are priorities for the candidature.
3 SAGAR is a security grouping of India, the United States, Japan and Australia.
SAGAR is India's maritime vision, Security and Growth for All in the Region; the grouping described is the Quad.