New Delhi, April 29 -- Ambassador Yojna Patel, Deputy Permanent Representative of India to the UN, said that attempts to target commercial ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz is deplorable.

Patel, while delivering India's statement at the UN Security Council on the Situation in the Middle East on Tuesday (local time), said that the Strait of Hormuz is of great concern for India in terms of the country's energy and economic security.

"Commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is of particular concern to India, given its importance to our energy and economic security. Commercial shipping must not be the target of military attacks, and such attempts are deplorable. India notes with concern that precious lives of Indian seafar...