FILE PHOTO: Crude oil tanker Odessa, carrying UAE crude after passing through the Strait of Hormuz
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India on Tuesday voiced “deep concern” over the renewed escalation of hostilities in West Asia, called for an immediate end to violence and said it would continue to closely monitor the evolving situation, while assuring exporters of support if trade disruptions worsen.The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also summoned the Deputy Chief of Mission of the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi to lodge a strong protest over attacks on two commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz that killed one Indian seafarer and injured ten others.In an interaction with the media on Tuesday, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said the government would continue to engage with exporters through the Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG), which was set up to assess the impact of the West Asia crisis on trade and shipping.“Our IMG is still functional. We will keep meeting stakeholders and whatever we need to do to help our exporters, we will continue to do so,” Agrawal told reporters.The assurance comes as renewed hostilities in the region have revived concerns over disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes and a critical corridor for India’s crude oil imports and merchandise exports.“We reiterate our deep concern on account of the resumption of attacks and escalation of hostilities in the West-Asian region and call for immediate cessation of violence and a return to dialogue and diplomacy in the interests of peace, security and stability in the region,” the MEA said in a statement.The Ministry said India was deeply concerned by the attacks on MT Al Bahiyah and MT Mombasa during their transit through the Strait of Hormuz. The two vessels had 30 Indian nationals among their combined crew of 46.“We extend our deepest condolences to the family of the deceased Indian national and wish speedy recovery to those injured,” the MEA said, adding that India’s mission and post in the UAE were in touch with local authorities to ensure all possible assistance to the affected seafarers.The ministry said the Iranian Deputy Chief of Mission was summoned and a strong protest over the attacks was lodged with him.Condemning the incidents, India said attacks targeting seafarers and commercial shipping were unacceptable and called for the restoration of free and unimpeded navigation through international waterways.The fresh escalation has raised concerns among Indian exporters over higher freight and insurance costs and possible delays in shipments through the Gulf region, prompting the government to maintain close coordination with industry stakeholders.Published on July 14, 2026
