New York: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday highlighted the growing role of artificial intelligence in maritime security while cautioning that its increasing use could also create new risks for ships, communication networks and critical undersea infrastructure.
Jaishankar co-chaired a session on AI and international peace and security, with a focus on maritime security, alongside Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly. In a post on X, he said countries need to make use of AI’s potential while anticipating its consequences and addressing associated security concerns.
The External Affairs Minister said AI could strengthen maritime domain awareness, search and rescue operations, disaster response, detection of suspicious activity and the resilience of ports and other critical infrastructure. At the same time, he noted that the technology could be used for advanced reconnaissance, vulnerability mapping and cyber operations targeting vessels, communication systems and undersea infrastructure.
Pleased to co-chair the event on ‘AI in the Context of International Peace & Security, with an Emphasis on Maritime Security’, alongside FM George Gerapetritis of Greece.
➡️ Emphasized the need to harness the possibilities offered by AI, anticipate its consequences and mitigate its risks. This calls for an approach that enables innovation while remaining conscious of its security implications.
➡️ Shared that the New Delhi Declaration emphasises democratic access to AI resources, building secure and trustworthy systems, investing in human capabilities and harnessing AI for economic growth & social good.
➡️ Highlighted that in the maritime domain, AI can enhance maritime domain awareness, search & rescue, disaster response, identification of suspicious activity and resilience of ports & critical infrastructure. At the same time, it can enable sophisticated reconnaissance, vulnerability mapping & cyber operations targeting vessels, communication networks & undersea infrastructure.
➡️ Underlined that increasing autonomy in maritime systems raises questions of attribution, accountability & escalation, while also compressing decision making time.
➡️ Pointed out that in the maritime domain, the UN Charter & international law, including the law of the sea, remain essential frameworks governing State conduct. Greater transparency, confidence building, capacity development, technical cooperation & exchange of best practices are essential to ensure that AI is developed and used consistent with these principles.
➡️ Reaffirmed that AI and maritime security remain important priorities for India at the United Nations.
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— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) September 26, 2026
He also pointed to concerns arising from greater autonomy in maritime systems, particularly over attribution, accountability and the possibility of faster escalation as decision-making time becomes shorter. Jaishankar stressed that the UN Charter and international law, including the law of the sea, should continue to guide state conduct in this area.
Jaishankar also co-chaired the India-Gulf Cooperation Council Troika Ministerial Meeting in New York, where the two sides reviewed the progress of the India-GCC Joint Action Plan 2024-28 and discussed ways to expand bilateral cooperation.
He welcomed the launch of negotiations for an India-GCC Free Trade Agreement, saying the proposed pact could further strengthen cooperation in trade, investment, energy, food security, healthcare, new technologies, culture and people-to-people ties.
The minister also reiterated India’s commitment to freedom of navigation and the safety of seafarers and commercial shipping. His remarks came amid India’s wider focus at the UNGA on maritime security, following repeated attacks on commercial vessels and seafarers in the Gulf, Red Sea and Black Sea.
