India has sought safe passage for 24 of its vessels stranded west of the Strait of Hormuz after Iran allowed a few Indian ships to sail through in a rare exception, according to Reuters. The blockade imposed by Tehran since the U.S.-Israeli bombing campaign on Iran has disrupted global energy supplies and triggered India's worst gas crisis in decades.
Key Takeaways
India has requested safe passage for 24 of its vessels stranded near the Strait of Hormuz after Iran allowed some Indian ships to pass through temporarily. The blockade has caused India's worst gas crisis in decades, affecting energy supplies and stranding thousands of Indian sailors.
- India seeks safe passage for 24 vessels stranded around the Strait of Hormuz
- Iran allowed two Indian LPG carriers to transit the strait under naval escort
- Blockade triggers severe gas shortages in India, forcing supply cuts to industries
- Over 600 Indian sailors remain stranded on ships near the conflict zone
The stranded vessels include four crude oil tankers, six liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carriers, and one liquefied natural gas vessel, as reported by Rajesh Kumar Sinha, special secretary at the Indian shipping ministry. Two Indian-flagged LPG carriers, Shivalik and Nanda Devi, chartered by Indian Oil Corp, have safely passed through the strait under escort from the Indian Navy.
The blockade has led to severe gas shortages in India, with the government cutting supplies for industries to shield households. The stranded ships carry essential energy resources, including over 92,000 metric tons of LPG, which are crucial for meeting domestic demand. According to Reuters, India consumed 33.15 million metric tons of cooking gas last year, with about 60% coming from imports and 90% of those imports sourced from the Middle East.
The situation has become a major issue for Indian sailors, with hundreds of tankers and cargo ships waiting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. The plight of these seafarers has been highlighted by reports from stranded crew members who described dangerous conditions, including drones and missiles setting ships ablaze nearby. India is coordinating with multiple authorities, including Iran, to ensure the safety of its sailors.
India is also trying to build consensus among BRICS members for a position on the Middle East conflict. As the current chair of the BRICS group, which includes Brazil, Russia, China, South Africa, and Iran, India aims to address energy security priorities in the region. The blockade has not only affected shipping but also strained diplomatic relations and highlighted vulnerabilities in global energy supply chains.
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