Amidst the intensifying maritime blockade in West Asia, India has solidified its position as one of the few nations successfully navigating the strategic Strait of Hormuz, with eight India-linked vessels transiting the chokepoint since the start of the current regional conflict on February 28, 2026. This critical maritime movement comes at a time when Iran has tightened its “chokehold” on the world’s most vital oil artery, following a series of military escalations with the U.S. and Israel. While major global shipping companies have suspended operations in the region due to the threat of missile attacks and sea mines, Indian vessels—including the Green Sanvi, Jag Vasant, and Pine Gas—have been permitted to pass as Tehran classifies India among its “friendly nations.” On April 4, 2026, the Green Sanvi successfully transited, carrying over 46,000 metric tonnes of LPG, highlighting the robust diplomatic coordination between New Delhi and Tehran to ensure India’s energy security remains uncompromised.
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, along with the Indian Navy, is playing a pivotal role in this high-stakes logistics operation, closely monitoring the safety of approximately 485 Indian seafarers currently stationed on 18 vessels within the Persian Gulf. Reports indicate that the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has facilitated these transits by directing Indian ships through a specialized corridor near Larak Island, bypassing the heavily mined regular shipping lanes. To further bolster security, Indian Navy warships have been providing escorts once vessels exit the strait into the Gulf of Oman. As the conflict enters its second month, the continued flow of these tankers is vital for the millions of Indian households dependent on imported fuel. While the global economy feels the tremors of the Hormuz closure, India’s unique diplomatic standing has allowed it to maintain a precarious but essential lifeline through the world’s most dangerous waterway, ensuring that domestic supplies of petrol and LPG remain stable despite the surrounding chaos.
