India in diplomatic talks with Iran to secure safe passage for more than 20 tankers through Strait of Hormuz: Report

India is actively engaging in diplomatic talks with Iran to ensure the safe passage of more than 20 oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuza critical waterway for global energy supplies. This development comes amid the ongoing conflict in the Persian Gulf, which has severely disrupted maritime traffic in the region.

According to Bloomberg, citing people familiar with the matter, negotiations are being led by India’s Ministry of External Affairs. The discussions are described as sensitive and remain ongoing.

The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow chokepoint between Iran and Oman, normally handles about one-fifth of the world’s crude oil and a significant portion of liquefied natural gas (LNG). However, since the escalation of the war involving the US, Israel, and Iran, the strait has been effectively closed or heavily restricted, with threats of attacks on vessels leading to a sharp drop in transits and surging oil prices.

Recent updates from various reports indicate that these diplomatic efforts, including high-level conversations between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi, have shown progress.