For over a week, the Indian Navy was on standby. The fighting between the United States/Israel and Iran, now on for nearly four weeks, has meant difficulties
in getting tankers and merchant ships out, through the Strait of Hormuz. India, China, many West European countries are major importers of oil and natural gas. So, India has deployed its Navy, currently about half a dozen warships. The Navy initially readied a large task force including guided missile destroyers and frigates, both large (and therefore, reassuring) warships. There were about 30 Indian tankers and merchant ships stuck in the Persian Gulf ports. Oil and gas from Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE and Saudi Arabia have to exit the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz into the Gulf of Oman and then the Arabian Sea. As only one or two tankers are coming out daily, about half a dozen warships are now required for escort duties. The Navy has deployed the INS Imphal, INS Kolkata and INS Mormugao, all guided missile destroyers and other ships in the area. But if more warships are necessary for escort duties, the Navy has them ready. Also Read: India Puts Navy On Standby To Escort Ships In Persian Gulf Crisis Iran has now said that ships from friendly countries like India can negotiate the Strait of Hormuz, making it easier. But as long as the war continues, the situation will remain uncertain. India depends on imports for over 80 percent of its energy needs, and a substantial amount of that comes from Gulf countries. In fact, Qatar supplies a lot of natural gas to India, and apart from Saudi Arabia, which has a Red Sea port, most of the other countries face the prospect of negotiating the Strait of Hormuz.
