The Indian government said on Saturday that it is working with multiple countries to secure safe passage for Indian-flagged ships that remain stuck in the western Strait of Hormuz, after Iran recently allowed two Indian ships carrying LPG – Shivalik and Nanda Devi – to move through the war-hit waterway, in a rare move.
Speaking at a press conference, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi has been in constant touch with key stakeholders in the region to safeguard India’s interests.
“Many of our ships remain on standby in the Gulf region. We propose to continue to stay in touch and coordinate with all concerned countries to ensure safe and unhindered transit in an effort to ensure our energy security,” Jaiswal said at the press conference.
Two Indian LPG ships have already been cleared
Earlier in the day, Shipping Ministry Special Secretary Rajesh Kumar Sinha said that two Indian ships – Shivalik and Nanda Devi, chartered by the Indian Oil Corporation – had already passed through the strait safely.
The ships are expected to arrive at the western Indian ports of Mundra and Kandla in Gujarat state on March 16 and 17, respectively.
Together, the ships carry more than 92,000 metric tons of LPG, Sinha said.
On the other hand, Iranian Ambassador Mohammad Fatahli reiterated Tehran’s friendly relations with New Delhi. “We believe that Iran and India are friends. We have common interests and we have a common destiny,” Fath Ali told reporters in New Delhi on Friday.
The Strait of Hormuz has been under intense pressure since the United States and Israel launched a bombing campaign on Iran, after which Tehran largely halted traffic through the narrow sea lane along its coast.
The Strait is one of the world’s most important energy routes, handling approximately 20% of the world’s seaborne oil and liquefied natural gas supplies.
