International laws seem to have been jettisoned by everyone: Admiral Arun Prakash

In an interview with India Today TV, former Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Arun Prakash discussed the impact of the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran on global maritime security. Addressing the recent deaths of Indian seafarers in the Strait of Hormuz, Admiral Prakash noted that Indians comprise nearly one-third of the global seafaring workforce, making them highly vulnerable to such hostilities. He pointed out the disregard for global conventions, stating, "International laws seem to have been jettisoned or abandoned by everyone." Admiral Prakash highlighted the severe economic consequences of the conflict, including plummeting energy traffic and surging insurance rates. He explained that Iran, facing severe economic sanctions and military pressure from the US and Israel, has weaponized the Strait of Hormuz as its only remaining leverage. Emphasising that "Iran is faced with an existential threat," he urged India to use its moral and strategic weight to bring the belligerents back to the negotiating table and restore safe navigation in the Persian Gulf.