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Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Wednesday reaffirmed India's strong commitment to ensuring safe and unimpeded maritime shipping during the 'AZEC Plus' meeting, held to address global energy supply disruptions.

Participating in the high-level discussions convened by Japan under the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) framework, Jaishankar underlined that attacks on merchant vessels are "completely unacceptable" and pose a serious threat to global trade and economic growth.

"Global growth demands that energy markets are not constricted," he said, adding that India, as a major energy consumer, stands ready to work with like-minded nations to strengthen supply chain resilience.

The meeting comes amid rising geopolitical tensions in the Gulf region. A deadlock in talks between the United States and Iran has led to increased maritime restrictions. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) recently announced curbs affecting Iranian ports and coastal areas across the Arabian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, and the Arabian Sea, particularly around the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz.

The situation has escalated further with reports of a US-led blockade targeting Iranian ports, intensifying concerns over global energy supply chains.

Leaders from several countries participated in the virtual summit, including Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Philippines President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., along with representatives from Thailand, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Singapore, and others.

In his address, Ibrahim emphasised Malaysia's commitment to regional cooperation to ensure stable and resilient energy supplies, highlighting the country's role as a major producer of liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Meanwhile, Marcos Jr. pointed out the Philippines' vulnerability to global oil supply disruptions, noting that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz earlier this year had significantly impacted fuel prices in the archipelagic nation, which relies heavily on imported petroleum.