Navy warships monitor ships bound for India in Strait of Hormuz

As part of the ongoing Operation Sankalp, Indian Navy warships deployed in the Gulf are conducting continuous vigilance on cargo ships bound for India in the Strait of Hormuz.A source confirmed to TOI that “a warship deployed in the area (off the coast of Oman) is still monitoring the situation and keeping a close watch on cargo ships bound for India.”

Under the watchful eye of the Indian Navy, two Indian-flagged LPG tankers “Shivalik” and “Nanda Devi” owned by the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) have successfully passed through the Strait of Hormuz and are currently heading to India. Another Indian-flagged oil tanker, the Jag Prakash, carrying gasoline from Oman to Africa, has also set sail from the east of the Strait of Hormuz.The Shivalik is being escorted by the Indian Navy, an agency report citing government sources said.

On June 19, 2019, the Indian Navy launched a maritime security operation called “Operation Sankalp” in the Gulf region to ensure the safe passage of Indian flag vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. This is done in close coordination with all stakeholders including the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Shipping, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and DG Shipping. Subsequently, the navy deployed a total of 23 warships to take turns heading to the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf. Some of these warships are still deployed in the Gulf.The naval deployment is significant at a time of rising tensions across the Gulf, with as many as 23,000 Indian seafarers employed on different types of vessels, including merchant vessels and offshore installations, as well as 24 vessels near the Strait of Hormuz.Iran’s ambassador to India Mohammad Fatali said on Friday that India would soon be able to safely pass (for its ships) through the Strait of Hormuz.Meanwhile, the Indian Navy’s sailing training ship INS Sudarshini has arrived at the historic port of Valletta in Malta, marking an important milestone in its landmark trans-oceanic expedition Lokayan-26, the Indian Defense Ministry said in a statement. The ship arrived in Valletta on March 12, highlighting the deep-rooted maritime ties between India and Malta. The visit is an important stop on the ship’s ambitious 22,000-nautical-mile global voyage. Previously, the ship successfully passed through the Suez Canal and recently docked in Alexandria. INS Sudarshini set off from Kochi on January 20 and is currently in the second month of its voyage.