India calls for safe passage through Hormuz amid fresh attacks on commercial ships

India on Tuesday reiterated its call for free and safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, saying it remained in contact with all concerned parties to prevent attacks on civilian shipping and seafarers, including Indian-flagged vessels and Indian nationals working aboard commercial ships.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressed concern over recent attacks on commercial vessels in the region, amid escalating tensions in West Asia and growing threats to strategically important maritime trade routes.

"We continue to call for free and safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at his regular media briefing.

"We are in touch with all concerned parties to avoid attacks on civilian shipping and seafarers, including vessels under Indian flag and Indian seafarers," he added.

India's renewed appeal comes after an Indian sailor was killed in an attack on a commercial vessel near Limah in Oman on November 2. New Delhi had strongly condemned the incident and expressed concern over the safety of maritime personnel operating in the conflict-affected region.

𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀

The Strait of Hormuz, connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, is among the world's most important maritime routes for international energy shipments.

Disruptions to shipping through the narrow passage have raised concerns over global oil supplies, commercial transportation and the safety of thousands of seafarers.

India, which relies heavily on imported crude oil, has consistently emphasised the importance of keeping international waterways open and protecting civilian maritime traffic.

The conflict in West Asia began in February following attacks on Iran by the United States and Israel, triggering retaliatory actions and widespread disruptions to regional shipping.

New Delhi has repeatedly called for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the confrontation, while urging all sides to avoid measures that could endanger civilians and critical infrastructure.

𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗶 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗺

The latest appeal also comes amid a fresh escalation in regional tensions following a series of attacks by the Iran-backed Houthi militant group on Saudi Arabia.

India has voiced serious concern over strikes targeting Saudi civilian infrastructure and economic assets, warning that such attacks undermine regional stability and threaten international shipping.

The Houthis recently targeted Saudi Arabia's East-West oil pipeline, a strategically important route for transporting crude oil across the kingdom.

The pipeline has assumed greater significance since the conflict involving Iran disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

By transporting oil from Saudi Arabia's eastern production areas to terminals on the Red Sea coast, the pipeline provides an alternative export route that reduces dependence on the Hormuz passage.

Attacks on this infrastructure have therefore raised concerns about the security of energy supplies and the possibility of further disruptions to global oil markets.

𝗕𝗮𝗯-𝗲𝗹-𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗯 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁

The Houthi strikes have also renewed concerns about the safety of commercial shipping through the Bab-el-Mandeb strait, another critical maritime chokepoint.

Located between the Arabian Peninsula and the Horn of Africa, the strait connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea.

It serves as an essential passage for vessels travelling between Europe and Asia through the Suez Canal.

Any prolonged disruption to navigation through Bab-el-Mandeb could force commercial vessels to take longer routes around Africa, increasing transportation costs and affecting international supply chains.

With both the Strait of Hormuz and Bab-el-Mandeb facing security challenges, India's diplomatic outreach reflects growing concern over the protection of maritime trade, energy supplies and Indian seafarers working in the region.

New Delhi has maintained that safeguarding civilian shipping and ensuring freedom of navigation must remain priorities for all parties involved in the conflict.