All Indian Crew in Persian Gulf Safe; Government Assures LPG Supply Stability
The Indian government confirmed that all Indian crew members aboard vessels in the Persian Gulf — including those near the Strait of Hormuz — were safe, amid rising tensions from the Iran-US-Israel conflict.
Two India-flagged LPG carriers, Shivalik and Nanda Devi (owned by the state-run Shipping Corporation of India), successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz and were en route to India, according to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
Despite public panic-buying of LPG cylinders in some areas, the government assured that domestic LPG supplies remained stable and adequate.
Separately, the Centre revoked the National Security Act (NSA) detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who had been held since late 2025 in connection with his protest over Ladakh's political status.
The Indian Navy was quietly guiding Indian merchant vessels through the Strait of Hormuz under Operation Sankalp, which was originally launched during Red Sea tensions.
Strait of Hormuz and LPG Supply to India
India is among the world's largest importers of LPG, which is used primarily for domestic cooking (Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana connections) and industrial purposes. Most LPG imports come from Gulf producers and transit the Strait of Hormuz.
Key Details
- India imports approximately 60–65% of its LPG requirement; the balance is produced domestically by ONGC, BPCL, and HPCL refineries.
- Major LPG suppliers to India: Saudi Arabia (Aramco), UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait.
- Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) — a public sector undertaking — operates LPG carriers including the Shivalik and Nanda Devi.
The safe transit of the SCI-operated LPG vessels was operationally significant — their cargo directly feeds India's cooking gas supply chain, and any disruption would have immediate household-level consequences.
National Security Act (NSA), 1980: Preventive Detention
The National Security Act, 1980 is a preventive detention law that allows the central or state government to detain an individual for up to 12 months without trial if they believe the person is a threat to national security, public order, or the maintenance of essential services.
The revocation of Sonam Wangchuk's NSA detention — coming amid public pressure and the broader context of Ladakh's demand for Sixth Schedule protections — illustrates the government's use and eventual retraction of preventive detention in politically sensitive cases.
Operation Sankalp: Indian Navy's Maritime Security Role
Operation Sankalp was launched by the Indian Navy in June 2019 during heightened tensions in the Persian Gulf following tanker attacks attributed to Iran. The operation involved deploying INS warships to escort Indian-flagged vessels through the Gulf of Oman and Strait of Hormuz.
The Indian Navy's quiet shepherding of LPG carriers through the strait represents the operational expression of India's strategic autonomy — protecting its interests in a conflict zone while maintaining diplomatic neutrality.
- India imports ~60–65% of its LPG requirement; rest is domestically refined.
- LPG carriers Shivalik and Nanda Devi (SCI-owned) safely transited Hormuz on March 13–14, 2026.
- NSA, 1980: allows detention up to 12 months without trial; Advisory Board review within 7 weeks.
- Sonam Wangchuk was detained under NSA since late 2025 over Ladakh's demand for Sixth Schedule protections and full statehood.
- Operation Sankalp: Indian Navy convoy escort mission originally launched in June 2019.
- SAGAR framework (2015): India's maritime security doctrine for the Indian Ocean Region.
- 15 Indian vessels were stranded near the Strait of Hormuz by mid-April 2026.