Amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia, India received a piece of relief. The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that six Indian ships carrying essential cargo including LPG and LNG have safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz. India continues to remain in contact with Iran and other relevant countries to ensure the safe and unhindered movement of its vessels.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at the weekly media briefing, ‘We are in touch with Iran and other countries in the region to see how we can ensure unobstructed and safe passage for our ships carrying LPG, LNG and other products. Through this ongoing engagement, six Indian ships have successfully crossed Hormuz.’
There are still 18 Indian-flagged ships present in the Persian Gulf and efforts are underway to expedite their movement. Jaiswal also dismissed reports claiming that India was paying a toll to Iran for transit through the Hormuz Strait, calling such reports inaccurate.
Iran had earlier announced that it would allow ships from five friendly nations — India, China, Russia, Iraq and Pakistan — to pass through the Hormuz Strait while access remains restricted for others. The strait carries approximately 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas exports, making it one of the most critical maritime routes globally.