Hormuz transit for Indian ships subject to case-by-case clearance
New Delhi remains engaged with Tehran to secure passage for additional Indian-flagged vessels currently held up near the chokepoint, a critical artery for global energy supplies.
A day after Iran indicated that vessels from select “friendly nations”, including India, would be allowed to pass through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, official sources on Friday clarified that such clearances are being granted strictly on a case-by-case basis.
“Yes, Iran has allowed Indian vessels to cross the Strait of Hormuz, but operational leeway is being assessed individually,” a source told The Tribune, underscoring the conditional nature of the arrangement amid the ongoing conflict in the region.
The development comes as New Delhi remains engaged with Tehran to secure passage for additional Indian-flagged vessels currently held up near the chokepoint, a critical artery for global energy supplies.
Separately at the weekly presser, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India was in constant touch with “all concerned countries” to ensure safe transit of its ships. He confirmed that four Indian LPG-laden vessels had successfully crossed the Strait in recent days and reached Indian shores safely.
“We continue to engage all stakeholders to facilitate the movement of our ships and meet our energy requirements,” he said, reiterating that India’s energy sourcing decisions are guided by domestic demand, market dynamics and the prevailing global situation.
Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi had announced that Tehran was permitting maritime passage to countries such as China, Russia, India, Iraq and Pakistan, signalling a calibrated and selective approach to navigation through the high-risk corridor.
Shipping ministry officials indicated that around 20 Indian-flagged vessels remained in the broader region, including six LPG carriers, highlighting the stakes involved for India’s energy security.
In recent days, at least four Indian tankers have transited the Strait following high-level diplomatic engagements between New Delhi and Tehran, even as uncertainty persists over access for the remaining vessels.
The evolving situation underscores the fragile balance between geopolitical tensions in West Asia and the uninterrupted flow of energy supplies critical to India’s economy.
