New Delhi: India on Tuesday reiterated its call for safe, free and unimpeded navigation through the Strait of Hormuz amid rising tensions in West Asia and concerns over attacks on commercial vessels and civilian shipping.
New Delhi also reaffirmed its support for detained Indian Merchant Navy Captain Ajay Pant, who is in judicial custody in the United Kingdom.
Addressing a biweekly media briefing, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India was in touch with all concerned parties to prevent attacks on civilian shipping and seafarers, including Indian-flagged vessels and Indian crew members.
"We continue to call for safe, free and unimpeded navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. We are in touch with all concerned parties to avoid attacks on civilian shipping and seafarers, including Indian vessels which are under the Indian flag as well as Indian seafarers," Jaiswal said.
His remarks came amid recent attacks on commercial vessels in the region. An Indian sailor was killed in an attack on a commercial vessel near Limah in Oman on November 2, prompting India to strongly condemn the strike.
India has consistently called for resolving the West Asia conflict through dialogue and diplomacy. The conflict began in February following attacks on Iran by the US and Israel.
New Delhi has also expressed concern over Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia's civilian infrastructure and economic assets, warning that such strikes threaten regional stability and freedom of navigation through the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait.
The Iran-backed Houthi group attacked Saudi Arabia's East-West oil pipeline, a crucial route for crude oil supplies that has served as an alternative for Saudi oil exports amid disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The attacks have also raised concerns over the safety of the Bab-el-Mandeb shipping lane, which connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea.
Meanwhile, Jaiswal said India was maintaining continuous diplomatic engagement with British authorities, legal counsel and the family of Captain Ajay Pant to ensure his safety, well-being and legal representation.
Pant has been in judicial custody in the UK following the interception of the oil tanker MV Smyrtos by British forces on June 14 over alleged violations of Russian oil sanctions. He is currently lodged at HMP Winchester, according to information shared earlier by the Uttarakhand Chief Minister's Office.
"We have been in touch with the lawyers of Captain Pant as well as his family. The High Commission has paid several visits to Captain Pant to check on his well-being. We have also facilitated the visit of his family members, his wife in particular. The last such visit by his wife took place on 9th of November," Jaiswal said.
He added that the Indian High Commission in London had also been in touch with the UK High Commission in New Delhi and the UK Foreign Office over the matter.
India has facilitated consular visits and raised the issue with British authorities, seeking to ensure that Pant receives timely assistance and that his safety, health and legal rights are protected. The MEA had earlier confirmed in August that the matter was legal in nature but said it was closely monitoring the case.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical global energy transit route, through which approximately 20 per cent of the world's petroleum passes. India relies heavily on the corridor for crude oil imports, while Indian seafarers account for nearly 10–12 per cent of the global maritime workforce.