India In Talks With Countries, Including Iran, For Passage Of Ships Via Hormuz: MEA

Last Updated:March 17, 2026, 16:43 IST

The MEA said it is working to ensure the safety of Indians in West Asia, coordinating with Iran for vessel passage. Support includes 24/7 helplines and aid for stranded Indians.

The Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday said that the central government is in constant touch with several countries, including Iran, for smooth passage of Indian vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.

Speaking during an inter-ministerial briefing on recent developments in West Asia, Randhir Jaiswal said: “The safety, well-being and security of Indian community across the region continues to remain our highest priority. The ministry’s dedicated special control room remains operational to assist and address queries from Indian nationals and their families. We remain in close touch with the state governments and union territories to share information and coordinate our efforts."

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He said that the Indian missions and posts across the region are functioning round the clock, operating 24/7 helplines, maintaining regular contact with a large number of Indian community associations and their families.

This comes amid reports that India’s efforts to secure safe passage for its interests in West Asia have run into uncertainty as a deepening power struggle within Iran exposes a split between the civilian government and the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The MEA spokesperson further said that the mortal remains of two individuals, who died in Oman’s Sohar city during an attack, was received by their families in Jaipur on Tuesday.

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“We express our deepest condolences to the families of the deceased. The embassy remains in regular contact with the hospital authorities and the company to monitor the condition of the injured Indian nationals, none of the Indian nationals are reported to be seriously injured," he said, adding that 44,000 people have returned from the West Asia to India.

Speaking on the flights operating between UAE to India, Jaiswal said: " In UAE, the UAE Civil Aviation authorities temporarily closed the airspace early this morning, which was later reopened after a few hours. Airlines continue to operate limited non-scheduled flights based on operational and safety considerations. On March 16, around 55 flights operated from airports in the UAE to India. And today, around 70 flights are expected to operate from various airports in the UAE to destinations in India."

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“Organisations, which are spread across the region, are issuing updated advisories to keep our citizens informed. They also remain in constant touch with the local governments and we continue to render all assistance to stranded Indian nationals, students, seafarers and short-term visitors, including assistance for visas, logistical support where required and facilitating transit arrangements," he added.

At the press conference on Tuesday, Sujata Sharma, joint secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, expressed concerns over the LPG shortage and said: “LPG is concern… but at the same time we have to look for alternative means."

“Over few months we have begun to diversify for gas – like some have come from US," she added.

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