New Delhi: Ten Indian-flagged ships have safely passed through the Strait of Hormuz in recent weeks, even as 14 remain in the Persian Gulf following heightened tensions between the US and Iran.
“As far as Indian ships in the Persian Gulf are concerned, we remain in close contact with Iranian authorities to ensure their safe passage out of the region and back to India,” Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at a press briefing on Thursday.
Addressing reports of attacks on ships in the area, Jaiswal specified that the two vessels which were hit belong to foreign operators. “There are some Indian nationals on board these ships, and they are safe,” assured Jaiswal.
Reaffirming New Delhi’s consistent stance on the West Asia crisis, triggered by the US-Iran versus Iran conflict, Jaiswal emphasised: “We have always stood in favour of peace. Any step that is being taken, or will be taken, towards peace initiatives has our support. We have consistently maintained that any issue, conflict, or difference should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy.”
The MEA spokesperson also provided an update on the continued detention of Commander Purnendu Tiwari in Qatar. Jaiswal, who along with an Omani owner and a Qatari officer was handed a sentence by Qatar’s Court of Cassation in February 2026, was granted relief in another case in March. But he remains in custody related to the February decision.
