India has called for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri raising concerns over Indian sailors’ safety and disruptions to global oil prices and energy security.
India bly urged the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz during a UK-initiated multilateral virtual meeting attended by more than 60 countries. Representing India, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri emphasised the need to ensure free navigation in international waters under established maritime rules. He stated that recent developments in the region are pushing up global oil prices and affecting India’s energy security.
Misri informed participants that India is the only country to have lost sailors in attacks on merchant vessels in the Hormuz region. According to the Directorate General of Shipping, at least three Indian sailors aboard foreign-flagged ships have been killed and one injured. Some vessels remain stranded in the Strait of Hormuz. He noted that rising instability in the region poses risks to India’s energy security and economic stability.
The Foreign Secretary said diplomacy and dialogue remain the only way to resolve the crisis. He urged all parties involved to return to negotiations. India reiterated that attacks on commercial vessels are unacceptable and that freedom of navigation in international waterways must be ensured, a position it has consistently presented at multilateral forums.
Approximately one crore Indian citizens reside in Gulf countries. The Ministry of External Affairs stated that all Indians are safe and that embassies are in continuous contact with them. A total of eight Indian nationals have died in the conflict so far, and one person is reported missing. The government continues to take measures to ensure their safety and provide assistance.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical maritime routes, serving as a key channel for the import and export of crude oil and gas between Gulf countries and the rest of the world. Any disruption in this route leads to a rise in global oil prices and deepens energy concerns, directly impacting major oil-importing countries such as India.
Misri stated that instability in the region is directly affecting India’s energy security. The country depends on West Asia for its energy requirements, and developments there can influence the Indian economy. He emphasised that international cooperation and multilateral dialogue are essential to managing the crisis.
