Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
As tensions in the Strait of Hormuz threaten global energy flows, the Indian Navy has stepped in to escort merchant vessels carrying crude oil and gas to India, deploying multiple naval assets to safeguard critical shipping routes.
The move comes amid rising security concerns in the region, with the narrow waterway emerging as a flashpoint following the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
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ESCORT OPERATIONS UNDERWAY
Officials said the Indian Navy has deployed two task forces in the North Arabian Sea to ensure the safe transit of Indian-bound merchant vessels and tankers.
Escort operations began last week, with naval ships accompanying vessels through vulnerable stretches before guiding them towards Indian ports.
The Navy is providing full protection to commercial shipping, aiming to prevent any disruption to supplies as risks rise in and around the Strait of Hormuz.
FOCUS ON ENERGY SECURITY
The deployment is part of a wider effort to secure India’s energy lifelines, with a significant portion of the country’s crude oil and gas imports passing through the region.
Officials said the current mission forms part of a broader maritime security grid designed to protect key sea lanes and ensure uninterrupted flow of energy supplies.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical oil transit chokepoints, making any instability in the area a direct concern for India’s economy.
SUSTAINED NAVAL PRESENCE IN THE REGION
The Indian Navy has maintained a continuous presence in nearby waters, including the Gulf of Oman and Gulf of Aden, since 2019 as part of anti-piracy and maritime security operations.
The latest deployment builds on those efforts, expanding the Navy’s operational footprint amid heightened tensions.
Officials said naval forces remain on high alert and are prepared to respond swiftly to any emerging threats in the region.
With geopolitical risks rising, the Navy’s stepped-up presence signals India’s intent to shield its energy supply lines from disruption at a time of growing uncertainty in global shipping corridors.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
