India plans to send oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz to resume Middle East energy imports

Odaily News India plans to send oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz to load energy cargo from the Middle East. This would be the first such move since the outbreak of the Iran conflict. Sources familiar with the matter said the plan has been finalized and awaits final government approval for execution. The specific timeline and shipment volumes have not been disclosed. Once receiving approval from the Indian Navy and orders from refiners, state-owned Shipping Corporation of India will return to the Persian Gulf.

Since the war broke out in Iran at the end of February, shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has nearly halted. The strait carries roughly one-fifth of the world's oil traffic, and the disruption has dealt a severe blow to importing countries like India. It remains unclear whether Iran or the United States, both involved in the blockade, have granted clearance for India, with their consent being crucial. Last week, Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in New Delhi.

According to insiders, India hopes to continue importing energy from traditional suppliers in the Middle East, as alternative sources are more time-consuming and costly. (Jin Shi)