Indian Navy deploys warships to escort vessels after crossing Hormuz Strait

In a major development amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East that has disrupted energy supplies, Indian Navy has deployed warships to help in the safe transit of vessels carrying oil and LPG.

According to news agency ANI, the navy has deployed two task forces of warships to escort merchant vessels and tankers after crossing the Strait of Hormuz.

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“The Indian Navy has deployed two task forces of warships to help in the safe transit of merchant vessels and tankers, bringing gas and crude oil to India after crossing the Strait of Hormuz near Iran,” said sources, according to ANI.

The sources further added, “All possible assistance and support are being provided to the vessels which are escorted by the Indian Navy warships.”

The development comes days after an India-bound cargo ship was attacked by Iran while sailing through the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran has warned that it will not allow ships bringing oil to the US and its allies to pass through the Hormuz Strait, a key shipping route in the Persian Gulf.

However, Tehran has said it is open to talks with countries seeking permission to allow their ships to pass through the Strait. Iran has also allowed two Indian ships to safely cross the Hormuz after negotiations with the government.

India unlikely to join US efforts in reopening Hormuz Strait

The closure of Hormuz has prompted US President Donald Trump to urge naval forces of several countries to join the United States and deploy warships to secure the shipping route.

Meanwhile, India has indicated that it is unlikely to join the US efforts in reopening the Hormuz Strait. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that India is aware that the matter is being discussed by several countries, adding that New Delhi is not part of any such discussion.

“We are aware that this matter is being discussed bilaterally by several countries. We have had no such bilateral discussion yet,” Jaiswal said in response to a question about whether New Delhi would send naval ships to join the United States.