South Africa tour of India 2019
Iran Allows Indian Tankers Through Strait of Hormuz After Diplomatic Talks
Iran has permitted India-flagged oil tankers to pass safely through the strategic Strait of Hormuz following diplomatic discussions between India and Iran aimed at ensuring uninterrupted energy supplies.
According to officials familiar with the development, the issue was discussed during talks between India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
The decision allows Indian vessels, including tankers named Pushpak and Parimal, to continue transporting crude oil and natural gas through the crucial maritime route despite the heightened tensions in the region.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy corridors, with a significant portion of global oil trade passing through it. For India, the route is particularly vital because more than half of its crude oil and natural gas imports move through this narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf with the Indian Ocean.
In a related development, a Liberian-flagged tanker carrying Saudi Arabian crude oil and captained by an Indian officer also successfully crossed the strait and arrived at Mumbai port. The vessel had loaded its cargo at the Saudi port of Ras Tanura earlier this month.
Despite these successful passages, tensions remain high in the region due to ongoing military hostilities. Maritime authorities report that several Indian ships are still operating near the sensitive waterway.
According to India’s Directorate General of Shipping, at least 28 Indian-flagged vessels were present in or around the Strait of Hormuz when hostilities began. Some have since moved to safer waters in the Arabian Sea as a precautionary measure.
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