Cargo valued at approximately ₹345 crore and destined for Iran is currently lying stranded at major Indian ports due to disruptions caused by the ongoing West Asian crisis, the government informed Parliament on Tuesday.
In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada stated that shipping and port operations have been affected by the regional tensions, leading to delays in cargo movement.
According to the ministry, around 35,962 tonnes of cargo—primarily comprising rice, tea, and pharmaceuticals—with a Free on Board (FOB) value of ₹305.67 crore is currently lying at Deendayal Port (Kandla), awaiting export to Iran.
In addition, about 5,676 tonnes of similar cargo valued at ₹40.72 crore is stranded at Mundra Port, also meant for shipment to Iran.
The disruptions come at a time when Iran remains one of the key importers of Indian basmati rice. Government data shows that during April–January of the current fiscal year, India exported 7,90,691 tonnes of basmati rice worth ₹5,424.24 crore to Iran, compared with 6,27,030 tonnes valued at ₹4,861.83 crore during the same period in the previous year.
The ongoing crisis in West Asia has raised concerns among exporters about shipment delays, rising logistics costs, and potential trade disruptions with key regional markets.
