In the midst of surging oil prices, a worldwide energy crisis, and escalating tensions in the Middle East from the ongoing Iran-US conflict, India has denounced attacks on commercial vessels in international waters and urged de-escalation via dialogue and diplomacy. An Indian LPG carrier, Shivalik, has reached Mundra Port after transiting the Strait of Hormuz (REUTERS). At the 36th extraordinary session of the IMO Council in London, Indian envoy Vikram Doraiswamy highlighted the importance of freedom of navigation and seafarer safety, while voicing concerns about the blockade of routes in the Strait of Hormuz—a vital channel carrying one-fifth of global oil shipments. The strait has experienced disruptions since the Iran-US war began, causing a sharp global rise in oil prices and worries in nations like India. Follow live updates on the US-Iran war here. “Targeting commercial shipping and attacks on civilian maritime infrastructure is unacceptable.” These attacks have caused the deaths of innocent people, injuries, and increased dangers, including to seafarers. India ranks among the top three countries supplying seafarers, accounting for about 13 percent of the world’s seafaring workforce. “We remain deeply concerned about the safety and welfare of all seafarers,” said Doraiswamy, the Indian High Commissioner to the UK, as quoted by news agency ANI. “The exercise of navigational rights and freedom by merchant and commercial vessels in accordance with international law must be respected,” he added. Indian ships stuck at sea. Although numerous Indian-flagged vessels have received clearance to pass amid the ongoing war, many continue to be stranded at the vital strait in the Persian Gulf. A Bloomberg report states that 22 India-flagged vessels are stranded in the Persian Gulf, including six LPG carriers, one liquefied natural gas ship, and four crude oil tankers. However, some fuel carriers have proceeded to India under escort, as India deploys additional warships to the Gulf of Oman to ensure their safe passage, according to an earlier HT report. India anticipates that Iran will permit safe ship movements despite its conflict with the US. External affairs minister S Jaishankar previously noted there is no “blanket arrangement” for ship movements, and Iran receives “nothing” in return. Iran insists the vital waterway remains accessible to all operators except those from the US and Israel. Will the oil crisis intensify?
