Indian Vessels Stranded in Persian Gulf Amid Rising West Asia Tensions
New Delhi – As tensions escalate in the West Asia region, India is closely monitoring the safety of its seafarers and vessels operating in the Persian Gulf. An inter-ministerial briefing held on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, revealed that 28 Indian vessels, carrying a total of 778 seafarers, are currently affected by the volatile maritime situation.
Vessel Locations and Government Response
According to Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Special Secretary in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, 24 of the vessels are located on the western part of the Strait of Hormuz, carrying 677 seafarers. An additional four vessels, with 101 personnel onboard, are positioned on the eastern side of the strait ETV Bharat.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and other relevant government bodies are actively coordinating to ensure the safety and security of these vessels and their crews. Authorities, ship managers, and recruitment agencies are working in close collaboration with Indian embassies and local authorities to provide assistance, including medical support, if needed ETV Bharat.
Enhanced Security Measures and Monitoring
In response to the evolving situation, the Directorate General of Shipping has issued advisories directing all Indian-flagged vessels and seafarers to adopt enhanced security measures and adhere to strict reporting protocols, including the real-time submission of vessel details ETV Bharat.
Dedicated 24-hour control rooms have been established within the Ministry and the DG of Shipping to maintain continuous monitoring and provide timely updates and assistance to ship owners, operators, and seafarers ETV Bharat.
Port Operations and Energy Security
Despite the regional tensions, port operations across India remain stable. Major ports are implementing operational measures, including continuous vessel movement monitoring, real-time regional development assessments, and regular reporting of vessel and cargo status ETV Bharat.
Officials also reassured that India’s crude oil supplies remain stable, with the country holding approximately 55 lakh barrels of crude sourced from around 40 countries The Week. The government is actively exploring alternative procurement channels to ensure uninterrupted supplies should existing routes be affected.
Diplomatic Efforts and Citizen Welfare
The MEA spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, stated that Indian missions are assisting Indian nationals in land crossings to Armenia and Azerbaijan from Iran The Week. The Prime Minister and the External Affairs Minister have engaged in discussions with leaders of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and other West Asian countries, reaffirming India’s commitment to the welfare of its citizens in the region CNBC TV18.
A control room has been established by the MEA to address calls and emails from Indian nationals and their families seeking assistance or information, having already received 75 calls and 11 emails CNBC TV18.