India And Iran To Discuss Safe Passage For Ships Through Strait Of Hormuz In BRICS Meet

India and Iran are expected to hold discussions this week on securing safe passage for Indian-flagged vessels through the Strait of Hormuz as shipping disruptions continue to affect energy cargo movement in the Gulf region.

The discussions are likely to take place on the sidelines of the BRICS Sherpa and foreign ministers’ meetings in New Delhi on May 14-15, according to reports.

Indian officials have said there is currently no formal or blanket arrangement in place for Indian ships crossing the Strait of Hormuz despite ongoing communication between New Delhi and Tehran.

Over recent weeks, India has been in touch with Iranian authorities to facilitate the movement of tankers carrying energy cargoes to India.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had earlier said India was maintaining direct communication with Iran to help ensure safe maritime movement.

Diplomatic engagement between the two countries has already helped some India-bound LPG carriers cross the strait safely.

Iran has also said that “non-hostile” vessels may continue to use the route if they coordinate with Iranian authorities and follow security requirements.

According to reports, around 40-50 India-bound ships were stranded west of the Strait of Hormuz, raising concerns over India’s energy supplies. Another official update said 13 ships were still in the Persian Gulf awaiting movement clearance.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India continues to remain in contact with Iran to facilitate the movement of the remaining vessels. He said 11 Indian ships had already exited the Strait of Hormuz following diplomatic coordination.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s busiest energy shipping routes. Around 40 per cent of India’s crude oil imports and nearly 90 per cent of its LPG supplies move through the waterway, making the route important for the country’s energy security.

The waterway has remained under pressure since late February after military escalation involving Iran, the United States and Israel.

Per reports, the strait was largely blocked after the conflict began, with Iranian forces issuing warnings, boarding merchant vessels and laying sea mines.

Although a ceasefire between Iran and the United States has reportedly been in place since mid-April, restrictions around the strait and operational uncertainty for commercial shipping have continued.

The issue is also expected to come up during the BRICS meetings, where Iranian and UAE representatives may appear on the same platform for the first time since the conflict began.

Iran’s deputy foreign minister is expected to attend the BRICS Sherpa meeting and could also represent Tehran at the foreign ministers’ conference if Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi is unable to attend.

Earlier discussions among BRICS representatives on the West Asia situation reportedly failed to produce a joint statement due to differences among member countries over the conflict.

India has repeatedly said the Strait of Hormuz is an international waterway and that freedom of navigation and uninterrupted maritime trade should continue under international law.

References: NDTV Profit, Business World