India Says No ‘Blanket Arrangement’ With Iran As Indian Ships Transit Strait Of Hormuz Amid Global Shipping Crisis

India has said it does not have any agreement with Iran that allows Indian-flagged ships to freely pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said the movement of Indian ships through the key waterway is being handled on a case-by-case basis through diplomatic talks, not through any formal arrangement.

His remarks came after two Indian LPG tankers crossed the strait despite the ongoing regional crisis affecting maritime traffic and energy shipments.

Speaking to the Financial Times in Brussels, Jaishankar said there is no general understanding between New Delhi and Tehran on the movement of Indian vessels. He said each ship’s passage through the Strait of Hormuz is handled separately.

He added that talks with Iran are ongoing and have already helped some Indian ships move through the waterway. Discussions will continue as more Indian vessels remain in the region.

Jaishankar also rejected suggestions that India offered anything to Iran in return for allowing the ships to pass. He said the engagement is based on the long-standing relationship between the two countries and not on any exchange.

The clarification came after two Indian-flagged LPG carriers, Shivalik and Nanda Devi, safely crossed the strait on Saturday.

The vessels are carrying about 92,712 metric tonnes of LPG and are sailing to Indian ports. Shivalik is expected to reach Mundra Port on March 16, while Nanda Devi is scheduled to arrive at Kandla Port on March 17.

Officials said another 22 Indian-flagged vessels are still located to the west of the strait and may also need similar diplomatic coordination to pass through.

The tanker transit followed high-level contacts between India and Iran. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, while Jaishankar also held talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi.

Iran has restricted shipping through the strait amid the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran. The situation has raised concerns among countries that depend heavily on energy imports.

Jaishankar said India will continue diplomatic engagement to ensure the safe movement of its ships. He noted that several vessels are still in the area and discussions are continuing.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important shipping routes. Nearly 20 percent of global crude oil and natural gas shipments pass through the narrow channel connecting the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea.

Any disruption in the route can quickly affect global energy markets. Oil prices have already risen above $100 per barrel, the highest level since August 2022, as tensions threaten tanker traffic.

India depends heavily on energy imports from the Gulf region. The country is one of the world’s largest buyers of LPG and crude oil, making safe passage through the strait critical for its energy supply.

US President Donald Trump has called on countries such as China, France and the United Kingdom to send naval forces to help reopen the waterway.

At the same time, some European countries have started diplomatic talks with Iran to find a solution that would allow energy shipments to move safely again.

Jaishankar said India is willing to share its approach with European partners but added that each country’s relationship with Iran is different. He said continued dialogue is the best way to keep ships moving through the strait during the crisis.

References: hindustantimes, firstpost