India Sets Maritime Security and AI as Core Goals for UN Council Bid

Artificial Intelligence and maritime security will serve as central goals for India during its bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2028-29 term. Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni, who acts as India's Permanent Representative to the UN, announced these priorities on Thursday during a high-level open debate at the Security Council.

Priorities And Tech

Mr. Parvathaneni stated that emerging tools such as artificial intelligence, satellite surveillance, and cyber systems bring helpful opportunities alongside new dangers that require joint attention. He pointed out that technology should improve safety and expand opportunities rather than deepen inequalities or make shared oceans more contested. Developing nations need better access to technology, proper training, and institutional capacity to secure their sea-based infrastructure. He also warned that growing digitalization leaves ports, ships, and communication lines vulnerable to cyber risks, while autonomous systems raise tricky questions about accountability and responsibility.

Global Trade And Context

India highlighted the necessity of protecting freedom of navigation and lawful sea commerce, noting that recent attacks on commercial vessels harm seafarers and damage supply chains, hitting developing countries hardest through higher costs. Mr. Parvathaneni pointed to India's Information Fusion Centre near New Delhi as a practical example of how sharing data improves safety, while reaffirming the guiding vision of SAGAR, which stands for Security and Growth for All in the Region. The upcoming Security Council elections take place next June, where India and Tajikistan will compete for the sole seat allocated to the Asia-Pacific Group.

Context

Non-permanent seats on the UN Security Council rotate among different geographic regions to give member states a temporary voice in global peace and security matters. The Asia-Pacific Group is one of several regional blocs within the United Nations that decides how to endorse or contest candidates for these vacant positions.