India is ramping up diplomatic efforts to ensure the safe passage of 22 Indian-flagged vessels and 611 seafarers in the conflict-affected Persian Gulf. The immediate priority is securing the safety of India-flagged tankers and crews, followed by foreign-flagged ships bound for India. Recent successful transits are crucial as energy cargoes, like LPG and crude oil, begin reaching Indian ports, alleviating concerns over cooking gas availability.
The Shipping Corporation of India’s LPG tanker Shivalik has already docked in Gujarat with over 46,000 tonnes of LPG, while Nanda Devi and Jag Laadki are en route with more energy supplies. Notably, Nanda Devi navigated the Strait of Hormuz, a hotspot for regional tensions, while Jag Laadki avoided direct transit, illustrating the precarious nature of shipping routes amid ongoing hostilities.
The Ministry of External Affairs emphasizes India’s purely diplomatic approach, refuting any quid pro quo implications with Iran regarding safe passage. High-level talks between Indian officials and Iranian counterparts underscore the importance placed on uninterrupted energy flows, directly linking maritime safety to national energy security.
This situation reveals India’s heavy reliance on the Strait of Hormuz for energy imports, as about half of its crude and a significant portion of its gas shipments traverse this critical maritime chokepoint. Although recent vessel arrivals offer some immediate relief, the structural vulnerabilities of energy supply chains remain a concern for Indian policymakers.
Share it now
