India has reiterated its call for free and safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, expressing concern over attacks on commercial shipping and the safety of seafarers operating in the region.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Tuesday that India remained in contact with all concerned parties to prevent attacks on civilian vessels and seafarers, particularly Indian-flagged ships and Indian nationals working onboard.
“We continue to call for free and safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz,” Jaiswal said, adding that New Delhi was engaging with relevant stakeholders to ensure the safety of civilian shipping and seafarers.
Maritime traffic through the strategic Strait of Hormuz has been disrupted amid the ongoing West Asia conflict, which began in February following US and Israeli strikes on Iran. India has consistently advocated resolving the crisis through dialogue and diplomacy.
Meanwhile, India has also expressed serious concern over a series of Houthi attacks targeting Saudi Arabia, particularly strikes on civilian infrastructure and economic assets. New Delhi has warned that such attacks threaten regional stability and freedom of navigation through the strategically important Bab-el-Mandeb Strait.
The Iran-backed Houthi group recently targeted Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline, a critical route that enables the kingdom to transport crude oil to export terminals while bypassing the Strait of Hormuz.
With shipping movements through Hormuz affected by the conflict, the pipeline has assumed greater importance as an alternative route for Saudi oil exports. The latest attacks have consequently heightened concerns over the security of energy supply chains and maritime trade routes across the region.
The Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea, is another major global maritime chokepoint. It serves as a vital passage for international trade and energy shipments, linking the Indian Ocean with the Suez Canal and Mediterranean shipping routes.
The developments have brought renewed attention to the security of critical maritime corridors in West Asia, with potential implications for global shipping, energy transportation and international trade.