Representing India at a UK-hosted summit of nearly 30 nations, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri made clear India’s stance on safe shipping through the Strait of Hormuz amid Iran's partial blockade of the strategic waterway, stating that New Delhi stood for free and open commercial shipping. The summit was hosted by the UK to focus on safe shipping through the Strait of Hormuz amid severe disruption of global oil and gas supplies.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Misri “underlined that the way out of the crisis consisted of de-escalation and a return to the path of diplomacy and dialogue among all concerned parties" during the summit.
Misri further “emphasised the impact of the crisis on India’s energy security and the fact that India remains the only country to have lost mariners in attacks on merchant shipping in the Gulf," the ministry said in a statement cited by the news agency ANI.
"As far as India is concerned, you very well know that we stand for free and open commercial shipping, and for maritime security in keeping with international law," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at his weekly media briefing. "We continue to call for ensuring safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz as a matter of priority," he said.
The chokeblock has caused the surge of global oil and gas prices and the blockade has disrupting the transporation of LNG through the Strait, which handles roughly 20 per cent of the trade.
Jaiswal said the UK invited several countries, including India, for talks on the Strait of Hormuz, and Misri attended it. "We are in touch with Iran and other countries to see how best we can get unimpeded and safe transit for our ships, which are carrying products including LPG and LNG," he said.
"Through these conversations over the last few days, six Indian-flagged vessels have been able to safely cross the Strait of Hormuz. We continue to be in touch with relevant parties on this matter," Jaiswal said.
The MEA said New Delhi is closely following all developments relating to the West Asia conflict, and there have been growing global concerns over disruptions in commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, with many leading powers pressing for fully reopening of the waterway.
However, Iran has allowed Indian ships to transit through the waterway, thanks to the diplomatic efforts focusing on ending the conflict in West Asia as soon as possible and ensuring the unimpeded flow of energy through the Strait of Hormuz.