Two Indian ships carrying over 92,000 metric tons of LPG have already cleared the strait, with India now pushing for passage of the remaining fleet.
India has formally sought safe passage for 22 of its vessels stranded west of the Strait of Hormuz, the Ministry of External Affairs confirmed on 14 March 2026. The request follows Iran’s decision to allow a few Indian ships to sail through in a rare exception to the blockade imposed since US and Israeli strikes on Iran began.
Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India has maintained active contact with all major parties in the region, including Gulf Cooperation Council countries, Iran, the United States, and Israel, to convey its priorities, particularly on energy security. Tehran’s Ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, confirmed that Iran had permitted some Indian vessels to transit the strait.
The 22 stranded vessels include four crude oil carriers, six LPG tankers, and one LNG vessel. Two ships, Shivalik and Nanda Devi, both chartered by Indian Oil Corporation, have already cleared the strait safely and are expected to arrive at the western Indian ports of Mundra and Kandla on 16 and 17 March respectively, carrying a combined cargo of more than 92,000 metric tons of LPG.
India is also working to build a coordinated BRICS position on the Middle East conflict, Jaiswal added, with India currently serving as chair of the expanded grouping.
Source: Reuters
