India’s oil supply gets naval shield near Hormuz amid Gulf conflict

New Delhi: Indian warships are keeping a close watch on developments near the vital Strait of Hormuz while escorting India-bound tankers and ships in the Arabian Sea amid the continuing conflict in the Gulf.

On Monday, an Indian warship was identified as escorting India-flagged Jag Laadki in the Arabian Sea. The vessel had a close call while it was loading crude oil at the Fujairah port in the UAE when the oil facilities came under attack from a suspected Iranian drone. The ship escaped unharmed and is currently being escorted by an Indian Navy warship, according to a post by geo-intelligence researcher Damien Symon.

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In addition, two Indian warships are stationed close to the Hormuz and have been conducting escort missions for India-flag vessels carrying LPG and crude oil. While the Navy didn't comment on the deployment, people said Indian warships are stationed in the area as part of Operation Sankalp.

Sources said Indian Navy has deployed two task forces consisting of warships to help in the safe transit of merchant vessels and tankers bringing gas and crude oil to India. All possible assistance is being provided to the vessels which are being escorted by the Indian Navy warships, they said.

The operation has been active since 2019 to keep an eye on developments in the region and provide support to India-bound merchant traffic.

The operation is being conducted in close coordination with stakeholders including the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Shipping, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and DG, Shipping.