UNSC Open Briefing and Consultations on Yemen

(April 14, 2022; 1000 hrs.; 1930 hrs. IST)

Thank you, Madam President. I thank UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg and USG Martin Griffiths for their briefings.

2. India welcomes the two-month truce announcement made by all the parties in Yemen, beginning with the holy month of Ramzan. We applaud the efforts of the UN Special Envoy and commend the role played by the countries in the region in facilitating the temporary ceasefire. We hope that this truce will lead to a more comprehensive and durable ceasefire.

3. At the same time, we strongly condemn the cross-border terror attacks, using missiles and drones into the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, including the one that was carried out into Saudi Arabia just three weeks ago. These attacks have resulted in the death and injury of innocent civilians, including Indian nationals. We do hope that the just announced ceasefire will also put an end to such cross-border attacks.

4. The ceasefire announcement could be a first step towards the peaceful resolution of the conflict in Yemen. We also welcome the announcement of additional steps, including permitting a specified number of fuel ships into Hodeida Port and limited number of commercial flights a week in and out of Sanaa, accompanying the truce announcement, that have been agreed between the parties. Full implementation of these steps will help in alleviating the humanitarian suffering of Yemenis. There is a need to strengthen these measures and take further confidence building measures such as exchange of prisoners and detainees.

5. I reiterate India’s demand for the immediate release of the crew members of the vessel, Rwabee, whose onboard crew also includes 7 Indian nationals. UNSCR 2624 had also reiterated this unequivocally. The crew has been unlawfully detained. Regular access to them and updates on their safety and well-being must be ensured by Ansarallah, till they are eventually released.

6. We appreciate UN’s efforts in finding an early resolution to the environmental, humanitarian, and maritime threat posed by the current condition of FSO SAFER. The plan prepared by the UN seems to adopt a more pragmatic approach to resolve the problem. We do hope that this is taken forward for its early implementation.

7. The recently concluded ‘Yemeni-Yemeni consultations’ in Riyadh represent a significant development. We recognize the key role played by the Gulf Cooperation Council in facilitating this dialogue, which complements the UN Special Envoy’s consultations with all Yemeni parties. We hope the recommendations contained in the Final Declaration of these consultations will be implemented in a timely manner. We welcome President Hadi’s irreversible transfer of powers to a new Presidential Leadership Council (PLC).

8. The final goal must be permanent cessation of all violence and hostilities. Towards this end, it is important to promote a Yemeni-led and Yemeni-owned political process addressing the legitimate aspirations of all Yemenis at the earliest.

9. In line with our centuries old relations with Yemen and in keeping with our strong people-to people ties, we have extended humanitarian help to Yemen in the past and we remain committed to do so. India has welcomed people of Yemen even during the trying times of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our hospitals receive thousands of Yemenis for medical treatment every year and thousands of Yemeni students continue to pursue their studies in India. Last year alone, we issued more than 6000 medical visas and more than 400 student visas to the friendly people of Yemen.

Madam President,

10. Let me conclude by reaffirming India’s strong commitment to Yemen’s unity, sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity. Recent events in Yemen have created a window of opportunity to end the violence and suffering of the people of Yemen. I urge all Yemeni parties to seize this opportunity and engage constructively with each other and with the UN Special Envoy to reach a comprehensive negotiated settlement to end the conflict in Yemen.

I thank you.

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