New Delhi: India is considering sending naval vessels to escort its ships through the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East, The New York Times reported.Reports say the move is under review at the request of Indian shipowners to seek protection for commercial ships sailing in the strategic waterway.The newspaper quoted Capt. PC Meena, a senior official at India’s main maritime authority, as saying: “India is also considering sending warships in response to Indian shipowners’ requests for naval escort.”Tensions in the Middle East have escalated after attacks on Iran, the United States and Israel, and the Strait of Hormuz has become a high-risk area for shipping. The conflict, now entering its second week, has disrupted maritime traffic and raised concerns about energy supplies.The Middle East supplies about 55% of India’s crude oil, according to brokerage Jefferies. About 35% of India’s oil imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz.India also relies heavily on LPG imports from Gulf countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Nearly 80% of the country’s LPG imports transit through this strategic waterway.According to reports, several Indian ships are currently unable to pass through the Strait of Hormuz due to the security risks posed by the conflict.According to a report earlier this month, some 38 Indian-flagged merchant ships carrying more than 1,100 sailors are stuck in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has directed officials, including the Directorate General of Shipping, to take steps to ensure the safety of Indian seafarers and maritime assets.At the same time, Pakistan has deployed naval escort for its commercial ships operating in the area. Pakistan’s navy said its warships would accompany merchant ships in the Middle East “to ensure uninterrupted energy supplies to the country”.Images released by the navy showed a warship escorting a crude oil tanker belonging to Pakistan National Shipping Lines.Pakistan imports most of its natural gas from Qatar and crude oil from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Shipping companies have reportedly slowed or stopped energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz due to growing security concerns.(With input from The New York Times)
