India’s masterstroke on LPG crisis! Navy deployed in Persian Gulf, gas tankers will get iron protection

New Delhi:The Indian Navy has taken rapid steps to strengthen India’s energy security amid rising tensions in West Asia and the unstable situation in the Strait of Hormuz. According to sources, several warships of the Indian Navy are deployed in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, ready to provide security and assistance to merchant ships sailing towards India, especially LPG tankers. This step is important at a time when global energy supply is being affected due to regional attacks and blockages.

India, which meets most of its LPG requirement from Gulf countries like Qatar and Saudi Arabia, is facing a shortage of domestic cooking gas. The Strait of Hormuz is a major global oil and gas corridor, through which most of the world’s energy passes. On Saturday, Iranian authorities allowed safe transit from Hormuz to two Indian-flagged LPG tankers Shivalik and Nanda Devi, which were coming to India after being loaded from Qatar’s Ras Laffan.

Iran’s rare exemption and safe transit

Under this rare exception given by Iran, both the tankers got safe passage despite the blockage, the reason behind which is believed to be diplomatic talks between India and Iran. Shivalik tanker, which belongs to the Shipping Corporation of India, crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Friday night and is now in the Gulf of Oman. According to ship traffic monitoring sites, it may reach its destination by March 21. More than 40,000 metric tons of LPG is loaded on this ship. Nanda Devi has also crossed in the same sequence or is expected to reach India soon.

Indian Navy Escort and Operation Sankalp

According to sources, these tankers were escorted by warships of the Indian Navy, which ensured their safe evacuation. This deployment has been done under Operation Sankalp, which is being conducted to provide maritime security and assistance to commercial vessels in the region. On Sunday, sources confirmed that the warships are on alert to assist merchant ships in case of any emergency.

Energy security and further efforts

This step is a clear indication of India’s energy security and prioritizing the cooking gas needs of its citizens. The government is also continuing talks with Iran for other stranded ships, so that more LPG and oil consignments can reach India safely. A total of about 92,000 metric tons of LPG is going to reach India from both the tankers, which will play an important role in reducing the domestic crisis.