India's Energy Diplomacy: Jaishankar's Multiple Calls with Iran FM on Hormuz and Ship Safety
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held three separate phone calls with Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi between February 28 and March 12, 2026, focussing on maritime shipping safety and India's energy security
Iran confirmed safe passage for Indian-flagged vessels through the Strait of Hormuz following these diplomatic engagements
India raised concerns about over 27 merchant vessels — carrying over 600 Indian seafarers — stranded on either side of the Strait of Hormuz
India's concerns centred on two specific dimensions: (1) the safety of Indian seafarers and crew on commercial ships, and (2) energy security implications of disrupted crude oil, LPG, and LNG supplies
The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed the Indian government is "engaging Iran for safe passage" of Indian ships through the Strait of Hormuz
India's Energy Security and West Asia Dependence
India is the world's third-largest oil consumer and imports approximately 85% of its crude oil requirements. West Asia (the Gulf region) accounts for a major share of these imports under normal conditions. The Strait of Hormuz is the transit route for a significant portion of India's energy imports. India's LPG imports are critically dependent on the Hormuz corridor — approximately 55% of India's LPG supply transits the strait. LPG is directly linked to household cooking (Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana beneficiaries) and agricultural use.
The multiple calls to Iran's FM reflect the urgency of protecting India's energy lifeline — a disruption to Hormuz supplies for even a few weeks would affect LPG distribution, power generation, and fertiliser production with cascading domestic consequences.
India-Iran Bilateral Relations
India and Iran have a complex, historically deep relationship rooted in civilizational ties. Modern India-Iran relations are shaped by: (1) energy trade — India was a major buyer of Iranian oil until US sanctions reduced this significantly after 2019; (2) the Chabahar Port project — India is developing this Iranian port as a gateway to Afghanistan and Central Asia; (3) Iran's role in the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). The current conflict creates both a crisis (energy supply disruption) and an opportunity (India demonstrating value as a neutral interlocutor) for India-Iran ties.
India's ability to secure safe passage for its ships rests partly on this deeper bilateral relationship — Iran views India as a non-hostile party and a potential economic partner, distinct from the US-Israel alliance it is at war with.
Strait of Hormuz: A Critical Energy Chokepoint
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway — approximately 34 km wide at its narrowest point — between Iran and Oman, connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. It is the world's single most important oil chokepoint. In 2024, approximately 20 million barrels per day (about 20% of global petroleum consumption) transited the strait. Iran has periodically threatened to close the strait throughout its decades-long conflict with the US; the current partial blockade under IRGC enforcement represents the most significant actual closure in decades.
India's frantic diplomacy to secure passage for 27 vessels is a direct consequence of the IRGC enforcing a de facto blockade — making diplomatic channels with Tehran the only viable path for Indian energy security.
- Jaishankar-Araghchi calls (as of March 12): 3 times (February 28, March 5, March 10)
- Indian vessels stranded near Hormuz: approximately 27-28
- Indian seafarers on stranded vessels: approximately 600-768
- India's LPG import via Hormuz: approximately 55%
- India's LNG via Hormuz: approximately 30%
- Strait of Hormuz width: approximately 34 km (narrowest point)
- Daily oil flow through Hormuz: ~20 million barrels (20% of global petroleum)
- Chabahar Port 10-year contract: India signed 2024
- India's crude oil import dependence: ~85% of consumption