India Pursues Safe Passage for Vessels in Persian Gulf Amid Regional Tensions
The Indian government is actively working to secure safe passage for its flagged vessels currently stranded in the Persian Gulf. As of now, 22 India-flagged ships, carrying 611 Indian seafarers, are navigating the region’s heightened tensions. The majority of these vessels are oil and gas tankers. On Monday, one energy tanker successfully arrived in India from West Asia, with two more expected to dock on Tuesday. The government has prioritized the safe transit of these ships, particularly in light of ongoing geopolitical instability.
In addition to the India-flagged vessels, there are foreign-flagged ships bound for India that may also be affected by the situation. However, government sources have indicated that the immediate focus remains on ensuring the safe exit of Indian vessels from the conflict zone.
Government’s Diplomatic Engagements and Recent Developments
The Indian government has ramped up its diplomatic efforts to facilitate the safe passage of its vessels. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, emphasizing the importance of “unhindered transit of goods and energy.” Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar has also engaged in multiple discussions with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, to address energy shipments from West Asia.
On the ground, the Shipping Corporation of India’s LPG tanker, Shivalik, arrived at Mundra port in Gujarat on Monday, carrying over 46,000 tonnes of LPG—approximately half of India’s daily demand. Another LPG tanker, Nanda Devi, is expected to arrive at Kandla port, while the crude oil tanker Jag Laadki is set to dock at Mundra. Notably, Jag Laadki was loading oil at Fujairah when the oil terminal came under attack, but both the tanker and its crew are reported safe.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has clarified that India has not engaged in any bilateral discussions with the United States regarding the deployment of warships to secure the Strait of Hormuz, despite President Donald Trump’s call for international naval support. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that while the matter is being discussed globally, India has yet to enter into any formal discussions on the issue.
Energy Security and India’s Dependence on the Strait of Hormuz
India’s energy security is heavily reliant on imports from West Asia, with a significant portion of these supplies transiting through the Strait of Hormuz. Recent data indicates that approximately 2.5 to 2.7 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil imports, which constitute around half of India’s total oil imports, have passed through the Strait in recent months. This oil primarily comes from Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Kuwait. Notably, India does not import Iranian oil due to U.S. sanctions.
The dependence on the Strait of Hormuz is even more pronounced for liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), with around 60% of LNG imports and a staggering 90% of LPG imports coming through this critical maritime route. As the situation in the Persian Gulf continues to evolve, the Indian government remains committed to ensuring the safe passage of its vessels and maintaining the country’s energy security.
