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Informist, Monday, Apr. 20, 2026

 

--Govt: In touch with Iran, others for safe passage of Indian vessels

--CONTEXT: Government officials briefing media on West Asia war 

--Govt: Iran airspace partially open for cargo, commercial flights 

--Govt:Released INR 177.4 bln as first instalment towards wage under MGNREGA 

 

NEW DELHI – Indian authorities are in touch with Iran and other countries in the Persian Gulf for safe passage of Indian vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, the government said on Monday, even as West Asia remains on the brink amid a fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran.

 

"We have several ships in the Persian Gulf. We are in touch with Iran and others so that we can have a safe exit of our ships from the Strait of Hormuz," Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at an inter-ministerial press briefing.

 

Two India-flagged cargo ships came under fire by Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps while passing through the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday. The two ships, Jag Arnav and Sanmar Herald, retreated back to the Persian Gulf. No sailor was injured in the firing, the government said.

 

India summoned the Iranian ambassador and registered a formal protest at the incident. "The foreign secretary expressed deep concern over the incident. He conveyed to the Iranian ambassador that we attach high importance to the safety and security of our mariners, and that there should be unimpeded transit of ships through the strait," Jaiswal said.  

 

Ministry of External Affairs Additional Secretary Aseem Mahajan said that 110 flights were expected to operate to India from the United Arab Emirates on Monday, while flights from various locations in Saudi Arabia to India were operating regularly. He said Iranian airspace was partially open for cargo and chartered flights.  

 

Mandeep Singh Randhawa, director in the shipping ministry, said India-flagged vessel Desh Garima, carrying 97,422 tonnes of crude oil, had crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday and was expected to arrive at Mumbai on Wednesday. He said Indian authorities were in touch with the crew and the owners of the two ships that came under fire from Iran. 

 

Sujata Sharma, joint secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, said states supporting the expansion of the piped natural gas network are being allocated 10% extra commercial liquefied petroleum gas. As of now, 22 such states and Union territories are getting this additional quota, she said.

 

Sharma said all oil refineries were working at optimum capacity and no dry-out had been reported from any petrol pump. She said 267 LPG distributors were penalised and 67 distributors were suspended during surprise inspections on Sunday.  

 

Amit Shukla, joint secretary in the rural development ministry, said the Mahatma Gandhi Rural Development Guarantee Scheme was fully operational for now. He said that INR 177.4 billion had been released as the first instalment towards wages under MGNREGA. There are sufficient funds to meet higher demand, even though there is "no spike reported" in MGNREGA work demand, he said.

 

According to media reports, many labourers are returning to their villages after the closure of factories due to gas supply disruption, and shortage of cooking gas in cities, amid the West Asia war. The reverse migration is expected to result in an increase in demand for work under MGNREGA.  End

 

Reported by Asim Khan

Edited by Avishek Dutta

 

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