Explained: This article explains the political background, key decisions, and possible outcomes related to Explained : Second LPG tanker set to reach India — reports and Its Impact and why it matters right now.
Nanda Devi, a merchant vessel carrying liquified petroleum gas (LPG) which earlier crossed the Strait of Hormuz, is set to arrive at Indian shores today, according to reports.
The ship is scheduled to reach the Deendayal Port, commonly known as Kandla Port, in the western state of Gujarat, news outlets The Times of India and The Hindu reported.
According to TOI, the ship was scheduled to reach early in the morning. There has been no official confirmation of its arrival yet.
LPG-carrying ships Shivalik and Nanda Devi crossed the strait Saturday, marking a breakthrough in diplomatic talks between Iran and India.
Both ships were escorted by the Indian Navy under ‘Operation Sankalp,’ launched to ensure the safety of Indian vessels in the Gulf. The world ‘Sankalp’ roughly translates to vow or determination.
After the US-Israel war with Iran broke out on February 28, transit through the key route dropped by up to 90% in the following days.
On March 2, Iran said the strait was closed and that it would attack any ships that attempted to pass through. It has since also said the strait was open to all except the US and its allies.
India, the world’s second-largest LPG importer, quickly enforced emergency directives to manage the impending fuel crisis while also engaging with Tehran to negotiate safe passage for Indian-flagged ships.
A third Indian-flagged tanker, named Jag Laadki, is also scheduled to reach a different port in Gujarat today. It faced a close call last week when UAE’s Fujairah port was attacked.
Indian officials report the crude tanker sailed out of the port on Saturday, and that everyone onboard was unharmed.
India’s foreign ministry had earlier reported that 22 Indian vessels, apart from Shivalik and Nanda Devi, were in the conflict-affected region.
The government has since assured citizens that all the vessels are safe and that talks to bring them back home were ongoing. In an interview with the Financial Times, Indian Foreign Minister Subramanyam Jaishankar said there was no “blanket agreement” with Iran on passing of Indian ships.