KATHMANDU, April 19: Diplomatic tensions between India and Iran have escalated following a reported shooting incident involving Indian-flagged vessels in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, according to international media reports.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said it had summoned the Iranian Ambassador in New Delhi on Saturday to convey its “deep concern” over the incident, which allegedly involved firing at two Indian-flagged merchant ships navigating the narrow waterway linking the Persian Gulf to global shipping routes.
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“During the meeting, the Foreign Secretary conveyed India’s deep concern at the shooting incident earlier today involving two Indian-flagged ships in the Strait of Hormuz,” the MEA said in a statement. The ministry underscored the importance India places on the safety of maritime trade and seafarers, noting that Iran had previously facilitated the safe passage of vessels bound for India through the region. “Reiterating his concern at this serious incident of firing on merchant ships, the Foreign Secretary urged the Ambassador to convey India’s views to the authorities in Iran and resume at the earliest the process of facilitating India-bound ships across the Strait,” the statement added.
The incident comes at a time of heightened geopolitical sensitivity in the Gulf region, where the Strait of Hormuz serves as a critical artery for global oil shipments. Any disruption there raises concerns not only for regional stability but also for international energy markets.
While Tehran has not directly responded to India’s protest over the reported shooting, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said it is currently reviewing “new proposals” from the United States, signalling ongoing strategic deliberations amid broader regional tensions.
“Iran will not make even the slightest compromise, retreat or leniency, and will defend with all its strength the interests of the Iranian nation,” the council said in a statement, reflecting Tehran’s firm posture in ongoing diplomatic engagements.
The latest episode risks complicating India-Iran ties, which have traditionally balanced strategic cooperation with cautious diplomacy, particularly in areas such as energy security and regional connectivity.
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