India prioritises AI, maritime security for 2028-29 UN Security Council bid

India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni, outlined the country's priorities during a high-level Security Council debate on emerging technologies and maritime security on Thursday. Addressing the discussion on implications for global peace and security, Parvathaneni stressed that oceans serve as vital arteries for international commerce, connecting economies while sustaining livelihoods and ensuring food and energy security worldwide.

"Their safety and security are indispensable to international peace and prosperity," Parvathaneni said, emphasising that emerging technologies are fundamentally reshaping how nations interact in maritime domains. India's two-year candidacy for the non-permanent seat would focus on harnessing technological advancement to make shared ocean commons safer rather than more contested, the envoy indicated.

The statement reflects New Delhi's broader concerns about maritime stability in the Indian Ocean region and globally. By positioning artificial intelligence and ocean security as priorities, India seeks to address challenges arising from rapidly advancing technologies while maintaining focus on traditional maritime security concerns affecting developing nations. The emphasis on technology serving peace rather than escalating tensions underscores India's vision for responsible innovation in strategic domains.