New Delhi: The opposition party Indian National Congress on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the Narendra Modi government after reports that Strait of Hormuz has been closed by Iran for most countries, allowing passage only to vessels from Russia and China.
Addressing the media, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera claimed the development has left several Indian ships and sailors stranded in the region, triggering serious concerns over trade and energy supplies.
Khera alleged that nearly 38 Indian vessels carrying goods worth around ₹10,000 crore, along with about 1,100 sailors, are currently stuck due to the closure of the crucial shipping route. He said the Indian National Shipowners’ Association has already appealed to the government for urgent intervention.
“The government is not in a position to help because it has closed all channels of dialogue with Iran. Did Prime Minister Narendra Modi not anticipate such a situation?” Khera asked.
Calling the situation alarming, the Congress leader warned that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz could directly impact India’s energy supplies, as a large portion of the country’s LPG and LNG imports passes through this narrow but vital sea route.
He further said that any prolonged disruption in the Gulf region due to war or geopolitical tensions could severely affect multiple sectors in India, including fertilizers, transportation, mining, railways, power generation and agriculture.
“People in India will have to bear the consequences. Rising fuel costs could trigger a wave of inflation and economic slowdown. The scale of price rise and recession that may follow is something we cannot even imagine,” Khera said.
The Strait of Hormuz is considered one of the world’s most critical energy corridors, with a large share of global oil and gas shipments passing through it, making the situation a matter of strategic concern for countries dependent on Gulf energy supplies.
