Jaishankar Credits Iran Diplomacy for Safe LPG Vessel Docking in Gujarat Amid Regional Tensions
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has emphasized that ongoing diplomatic engagement with Iran is yielding tangible results, as an Indian-flagged LPG tanker successfully docked at Mundra port in Gujarat after navigating the volatile Strait of Hormuz. This development comes amidst heightened regional tensions, with Jaishankar noting that negotiations have facilitated the safe passage of two such vessels.
Diplomatic Efforts Yield Results, But No Blanket Deal
In a recent interview with a British newspaper, Jaishankar clarified that while talks with Tehran have proven effective, there is no blanket arrangement in place for Indian vessels. He stated, "I am at the moment engaged in talking to them and my talking has yielded some results. This is ongoing. If it is yielding results for me, I would naturally continue to look at it." The minister added that each ship movement is treated as an individual occurrence, and Tehran has not received any concessions in exchange for allowing passage, underscoring that this is not an exchange issue but part of the broader India-Iran relationship.
Details of the Vessel Movements and Cargo
Officials reported that two Indian-flagged LPG carriers crossed the Strait of Hormuz on March 14, transporting approximately 92,712 metric tonnes of gas. The vessel Shivalik arrived at Mundra port on Monday with priority arrangements for cargo discharge, while the second vessel, Nanda Devi, is expected to dock early Tuesday. Additionally, another Indian-flagged vessel, Jag Laadki, carrying about 80,800 metric tonnes of Murban crude oil from the UAE, sailed on the same date and is safely en route to India.
Safety Measures and Monitoring in the Persian Gulf
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways confirmed that all Indian seafarers in the region remain safe, with no shipping incidents involving Indian crew reported in the past 24 hours. Currently, 22 Indian-flagged vessels with 611 seafarers are operating in the western Persian Gulf region. The Directorate General of Shipping is closely monitoring the situation in coordination with ship owners, recruitment agencies, and Indian missions. So far, the DG Shipping has facilitated the repatriation of 286 Indian seafarers from the Gulf, including 33 in the past 48 hours.
Support Systems and Port Operations
The DG Shipping control room has been actively responding to concerns, receiving over 3,000 phone calls and nearly 5,500 emails from seafarers, their families, and maritime stakeholders seeking assistance since the crisis began. At the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, authorities have implemented measures such as providing temporary transshipment storage for containers bound for West Asia and granting full rebates on ground rent and dwell time charges for up to 15 days. Officials noted that there is currently no congestion at major ports, with export-bound containers at JNPA declining from about 5,600 to around 3,900.
