Diplomatic efforts spearheaded by India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar have paid off, with Iran allowing Indian tankers to traverse the Strait of Hormuz. The decision came after talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, aimed at safeguarding essential oil and gas transport routes in a volatile region.
Indian tankers ‘Pushpak’ and ‘Parimal’ are reported to have passed through without incident, even as vessels from Western nations and Israel encounter blockades. This development underscores the strength of India-Iran ties at a critical juncture.
The leaders delved into West Asian geopolitics, prioritizing safe navigation through the strait—the third round of talks since conflict erupted. Separately, a Saudi crude-laden Liberia-flagged tanker under Indian captaincy made history by docking in Mumbai after clearing Hormuz.
The ‘Shenl ong Suezmax’ embarked from Ras Tanura on March 3, post-loading on March 1. Tracking data places it in the strait on March 8 before entering Indian waters, marking it as the first such tanker to reach India amid slowed regional maritime activity due to US and Israeli strikes on Iran.
For energy-hungry India, this is a relief. The strait handles more than 50% of the nation’s oil and gas imports, crucial for its growth as a top global economy. Yet, risks linger with 28 Indian ships still in the vicinity, per shipping authorities.
Notably, eight Indian vessels have escaped to safer zones: ‘Desh Mahima’, ‘Desh Abhimaan’, ‘Swarn Kamal’, ‘Vishwa Prerna’, ‘Jag Virat’, ‘Jag Lokesh’, ‘LNGC Asim’ now in the Arabian Sea, and ‘Jag Lakshya’ en route to Angola. As regional strains persist, these safe passages bolster hopes for uninterrupted supplies.