Indian Presidency of the UN Security Council: Strengthening of a Comprehensive Maritime Security Normative Framework

The Presidential Statement issued by India sheds light on the range of issues discussed and cements the position of importance of maritime security as an integral part of broader international peace and security. [...] While the importance of maritime security issues and recent developments in that regard are presented in the article, from a wider institutional perspective it also countenances a reason to conclude that elected members of the Council can and should play a critical role in the Security Council which discharging its mandate to maintain international peace and security. [...] During its presidency of the Security Council in August 2021, the Security Council for the first-time discussed issues and challenges pertaining to global maritime security in holistic manner. [...] A detailed analysis of the Presidential Statement issued at the end of the Security Council meeting unequivocally encompassed and reaffirmed the importance of maritime security as an integral part of the international peace and security for which the Council has a primary responsibility under the UN Charter. [...] For example, Ukraine in March 2022 stated that Russia’s armed aggression from from the sea is accompanied by piracy of the Russian Navy in the territorial waters and the exclusive maritime economic zones of Ukraine.