Iran's special message for India as 7th LPG tanker crosses Hormuz
Iran's special message was in response to a post by Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, who hailed the passage of the LPG tanker through the Strait of Hormuz as a 'victory for Indian diplomacy'.
As a seventh India-flagged LPG tanker, Green Sanvi, crossed the Strait of Hormuz amid the war on Friday, Iran posted a special message for New Delhi. In a post on X, the Iranian consulate in Mumbai said India, and Gujarat in particular, held a "cherished place" in "our shared history". The Consulate General was responding to a post by Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, who hailed the passage of the LPG tanker as a "victory for Indian diplomacy".
"India, and Gujarat in particular, hold a cherished place in our shared history; having graciously welcomed those from our land centuries ago," the Iranian Consulate General said. It is likely a reference to the ancient port of Lothal in Gujarat, which connected the Indus Valley cities to the Persian coast around 4,000 years ago.
"Building on this enduring civilizational bond, we remain committed to further strengthening the ties of friendship and cooperation," Iran said.
The remarks were in response to Sanghavi's post as the Green Sanvi, carrying 46,650 metric tonnes of LPG, headed home after crossing the key shipping chokepoint, which has been effectively closed by Iran since the war began. "One more ship. One more victory for Indian diplomacy," the Gujarat Deputy CM tweeted.
So far, six vessels carrying LPG have reached Indian ports after crossing Hormuz, which accounts for the supply of a fifth of the world's total oil needs. Around 17 Indian ships remain stranded west of the strait.
The effective closure of the vital waterway has led to a spike in global crude oil prices, which have been hovering around the $100 per barrel mark.
While Iran has blocked "enemy vessels" from transiting Hormuz, it has opened the corridor to five "friendly nations" - India, Russia, China, Iraq and Pakistan. Separately, Iran has also approved a plan to impose a toll on vessels passing through the vital energy corridor.
INDIA ON IRAN OIL VESSEL DIVERTED TO CHINA
Meanwhile, the Centre on Saturday rejected reports that suggested that an Iranian crude oil vessel meant for India was rerouted to China due to payment-related issues. In a post on X, the Petroleum Ministry said Indian refiners had already secured oil supplies from Iran.
"Amid Middle East supply disruptions, Indian refiners have secured their crude oil requirements, including from Iran, and there is no payment hurdle for Iranian crude imports, contrary to the rumours being circulated," it said.
This marks the first official confirmation from the Narendra Modi government that India was buying Iranian oil after the waiver announced by the US last month to cool energy prices.