Indian Navy Deploys Multiple Warships To Gulf Region As Two India-Bound LPG Tankers Cross Strait Of Hormuz; 22 Vessels Still Stuck: Report

The Indian Navy deployed multiple warships to escort two Indian-flagged LPG tankers through the Strait of Hormuz safely between Friday night and Saturday, the Indian Express reported, citing sources.

This comes as diplomatic efforts continued to secure passage for 22 more Indian vessels stuck in the Persian Gulf.

The two very large gas carriers -- Shivalik and Nanda Devi, both operated by the state-owned Shipping Corporation of India and chartered by Indian Oil Corporation -- are cumulatively carrying 92,700 tonnes of LPG.

Shivalik is headed to Mundra port and expected to arrive Monday, while Nanda Devi is likely to reach Kandla port on Tuesday.

According to the Indian Express report, at least two warships had been on operational standby since Iran began its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

Under the Navy's Operation Sankalp, some warships are already deployed in the Gulf of Aden and Gulf of Oman for anti-piracy operations, multiple additional warships have since sailed to the region.

The crisis began on 28 February when the US and Israel launched military strikes against Iran, prompting Tehran to retaliate by targeting Gulf states housing American assets and effectively halting maritime traffic through the Strait -- a chokepoint that accounts for around 40 per cent of India's crude oil imports, over 50 per cent of its LNG imports, and nearly 90 per cent of its LPG imports.

On the diplomatic front, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Thursday, flagging unhindered transit of goods and energy as a top priority.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has also held multiple conversations with Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi on energy shipments.

Among the 22 Indian vessels still waiting in the Persian Gulf are six LPG tankers, four crude oil tankers, one LNG carrier, and one chemical tanker --all loaded with energy cargo -- along with container ships and bulk carriers, with 611 seafarers on board in total.

Please click here to add Swarajya as your preferred and trusted news source on Google