India is working through diplomatic back‑channels, including direct engagement with Iran, to secure the safe passage of nine energy‑laden tankers stranded near the Strait of Hormuz, where renewed attacks have disrupted one of the world’s most critical shipping routes. The vessels, carrying crude oil and LPG, have 198 Indian mariners onboard, prompting urgent monitoring by New Delhi as regional tensions escalate.
According to reports, India’s Ministry of External Affairs is expected to raise the safety of Indian seafarers with Iranian authorities, as the tankers await clearance to transit through the narrow chokepoint. The situation has intensified fears over the stability of a fragile interim ceasefire in the Gulf, with vessel movements becoming increasingly unpredictable.
The disruptions follow a series of security incidents around Hormuz, including drone and missile attacks on commercial ships, and growing assertions by Iran over control of shipping lanes. Officials say hundreds of Indian crew members have remained stranded for months due to repeated shutdowns of the route. Concerns deepened after three Indian seafarers were killed during US strikes on commercial vessels in the Gulf of Oman in June, prompting India to heighten its monitoring of crew safety.
New Delhi is also coordinating with shipping companies and regional partners to assess risks and ensure emergency support if conditions worsen. The government is reportedly evaluating multiple diplomatic pathways to secure safe passage, including leveraging its longstanding ties with Tehran.
The Strait of Hormuz handles roughly one‑fifth of global oil trade, making any disruption a major threat to international energy markets. For India, which relies heavily on Gulf crude and LPG imports, prolonged delays could impact supply chains and raise costs.
As tensions persist, India’s priority remains the safe evacuation and movement of its mariners, while navigating a complex geopolitical environment that continues to challenge global shipping stability.