Explained: India Calls for Unimpeded Safe Maritime Transport at Japan AZEC Meet
At the Japan-convened AZEC Plus meeting on energy resilience, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar strongly called for safe and unimpeded maritime transit, terming attacks on merchant shipping “completely unacceptable”. Amid the ongoing Strait of Hormuz disruptions, India reiterated its commitment to open energy supply chains and supply chain resilience. This article explains the AZEC Plus meeting, what unimpeded transit means under international law, India’s energy security concerns, Japan’s new POWERR Asia initiative and the broader implications of the West Asia conflict on global shipping.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar participated via video conference in the AZEC Plus online summit convened by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
He explicitly stated that attacks on merchant shipping are “completely unacceptable” and underlined India’s strong commitment to safe and unimpeded transit passage.
Jaishankar stressed that global economic growth requires energy markets to remain open and not constricted.
The meeting focused on supply chain disruptions caused by the West Asia conflict and restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz.
Japan announced new initiatives including the POWERR Asia framework with about $10 billion in financial support for emergency energy responses and long-term resilience.
Leaders from ASEAN countries, India and other Asian partners welcomed the cooperation on energy security and decarbonisation.
What is the AZEC Plus meeting and why was it held?
AZEC stands for Asia Zero Emission Community, a Japan-led platform launched in 2022 to promote energy security, economic growth and decarbonisation in Asia.
The “Plus” version brought together leaders from ASEAN countries, India, Australia, South Korea and others for an online summit on April 15, 2026.
The meeting was specifically convened to discuss disruptions in energy supply chains caused by the ongoing West Asia conflict and restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz.
What does “unimpeded safe maritime transport” mean?
It refers to the right of merchant vessels to pass through international straits without interference, as guaranteed under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
This includes freedom of navigation and transit passage through critical chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz.
Any attack on merchant ships or forced closure of such routes violates international norms and threatens global trade and energy security.
Why is this statement important for India?
India is heavily dependent on imported energy, with a large share of its crude oil and LNG traditionally passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
Disruptions in this route directly affect fuel prices, inflation and industrial production inside the country.
By raising the issue at a multilateral forum, India is protecting its core economic interests without taking sides in the conflict.
What new initiatives did Japan announce?
Japan launched the POWERR Asia initiative (Partnership On Wide Energy and Resources Resilience) with around $10 billion in financial cooperation.
The programme aims to support emergency oil procurement, stockpiling and long-term energy diversification for Asian countries.
It is part of efforts to build greater supply chain resilience amid current global uncertainties.
How does this fit into India’s broader foreign policy approach?
India consistently supports the principles of freedom of navigation and open sea lanes for trade.
The statement shows India’s balanced diplomacy — it works with like-minded partners on practical issues like energy security while maintaining strategic autonomy.
It also highlights India’s growing role in regional energy cooperation platforms.
Discuss the strategic importance of freedom of navigation in international straits for India’s energy security in the context of recent disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.