Centre Assures Safe Passage of 16 More Indian Ships Amid West Asia Conflict
- Eight Indian vessels carrying LPG and crude oil safely reached Indian ports through the Strait of Hormuz.
- PM and EAM held extensive talks with leaders from West Asia and global powers to secure energy routes.
- Indian Navy escorts ships under Operation Sankalp to ensure maritime safety in conflict zones.
New Delhi: The Centre on Monday assured that India remains fully committed to safeguarding the nation’s energy security amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia. With the Strait of Hormuz becoming a sensitive maritime zone, the government has taken sustained diplomatic and operational measures to ensure the safe passage of Indian vessels carrying vital energy supplies.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally led diplomatic outreach, holding two rounds of conversations with leaders from Iran, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Jordan, Israel, the US, France, Malaysia, and the Netherlands. The External Affairs Minister also engaged with counterparts in West Asia to secure uninterrupted navigation.
As a result of these efforts, eight Indian ships successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz and reached their destinations. These include Shivalik (Mundra, Gujarat), Nanda Devi (Vadinar, Gujarat), Jag Vasant (Kandla, Gujarat), Pine Gas (Vizag, Andhra Pradesh), BW TYR (Mumbai, Maharashtra), BW ELM (Ennore, Tamil Nadu), Green Sanvi (Dahej, Gujarat), and Green Asha (Mumbai, Maharashtra). Together, they carried over 3.4 lakh metric tonnes of LPG and crude oil.
Officials confirmed that another vessel, Jag Laadki, carrying crude oil from Fujairah port in the UAE, also reached India safely despite the port coming under drone attack while the ship was stationed there.
The Indian Navy, deployed in the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea under Operation Sankalp since 2019, continues to escort vessels to ensure their safety en route to Indian ports.
At the outbreak of the conflict, 24 Indian-flagged ships were stranded in the Persian Gulf. With eight ships already reaching India, 16 vessels remain in the region, and the government is in constant touch with Iran and other stakeholders to secure their safe passage.
The Centre reiterated its commitment to meeting the energy security needs of the people while ensuring the safety of Indian nationals and seafarers in the Gulf.
