Why were Indian mariners targeted in the Hormuz crisis?: Central government concerned
The growing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz have raised concerns for the Indian government. The war-like situation between Iran and the US has put commercial ships passing through this strategic sea route at risk. The most serious impact of this dispute is being seen on Indian sailors, regarding which the government has given strong signals
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Indian sailors most at risk : According to recent reports, Indians have been the worst affected by incidents of Iranian seizure or detention of ships. According to government sources, in the blockade-like situation that has arisen in the Strait of Hormuz, ‘only India has lost its sailors’ or its citizens have been taken hostage. Since Indian sailors make up a large part of the global shipping industry, any international maritime conflict has a direct impact on Indian families.
Strategic route and economic impact : The Strait of Hormuz is the world’s most important oil transport route. If there is a war or blockade here for a long time, then importing crude oil could become expensive for India, which is likely to increase inflation in the country. However, the government is currently focusing more on saving the lives of its citizens than on the economic aspect.
Government Actions: The Ministry of External Affairs is in constant touch with Iran and the concerned countries. The Indian Navy is also on alert in the area under ‘Operation Sankalp’ to provide security to Indian flagged ships. The government has made it clear that freedom of navigation in international waters must be maintained and innocent sailors should not be made pawns of war
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India may also raise its voice on the global stage in the coming days on this issue, as thousands of Indian seafarers are currently working under threat in the Arabian Sea and the Gulf region. According to shipping industry experts, if this dispute is not resolved soon, the global supply chain will be disrupted.