Amidst soaring geopolitical tensions in West Asia, two Indian national-flag-carrying LPG tankers, ‘Pine Gas’ and ‘Jag Vasant’, are reportedly preparing to cross the volatile Strait of Hormuz to reach India. For the past 24 hours, crude oil shipments through this critical maritime corridor had come to a near standstill following warnings from Tehran that commercial vessels could face attacks if they attempted to cross.

The Strait of Hormuz is the lifeline of global energy, handling nearly 20% of the world’s oil and LPG. Currently, both Indian vessels are stationed near the Sharjah coast in the UAE, awaiting a window to navigate the strait. Sources suggest they might commence their high-risk journey this Saturday. This move follows a rare gesture last week when Iran allowed two other Indian gas carriers to pass, hinting at a potential diplomatic breakthrough.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is maintaining a high state of vigilance. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that the government is committed to ensuring the safe and unhindered passage of 22 Indian vessels currently in the Gulf region. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is personally coordinating with global leaders to de-escalate the situation. As the world watches, the successful transit of these tankers remains crucial for India’s energy security.