India urges free safe navigation in Strait of Hormuz, says no talks with Iran on transit fees, tensions and congestion persist as India bound oil shipments face delays
India on Thursday maintained its position on ensuring “free and safe navigation" through the Strait of Hormuz, amid reports that Iran may impose transit charges on vessels using the key global shipping route. Follow Live Updates Here
“Yes, we have also seen some reports…we continue to call for free and safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. We made this point in our statement yesterday as well, and continue to do so now as well," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at an inter‑ministerial press briefing on the West Asia crisis.
No Talks On Toll With Iran
The remarks come amid international media reports suggesting Iran’s proposal to end the West Asia conflict could include formalising its control over the Strait of Hormuz.
Officials said there has been “absolutely no discussion" between India and Iran on any proposed toll or transit fee. New Delhi has maintained that it does not pay any such charges for India‑flagged vessels passing through the waterway.
“There has been no discussion on this point between us and Iran…we continue to call for free and safe navigation," Jaiswal added.
The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, connects the Persian Gulf with the Arabian Sea and handles nearly a fifth of global oil and LNG shipments, making it a critical route for India’s energy imports.
Tensions Persist, Movement Remains Slow
Reports have indicated that Iran may impose steep charges on merchant vessels, though there is no official confirmation. The situation remains tense, with ship movement through the strait still restricted despite a temporary ceasefire.
India is also engaging with Iran to facilitate quicker movement of oil shipments during the limited ceasefire window, officials said.
According to reports, several India‑bound vessels remain stuck in the region, while overall congestion continues to impact global shipping flows.
India has repeatedly stressed that the Strait of Hormuz should remain open and accessible to all, in line with global maritime norms governing international waterways.
Why the Hormuz Strait matters to every Indian household
Honestly, if you ask most people in Delhi, Mumbai or Chennai, they don’t think about a narrow waterway half a world away when they fill up their bike or turn on the kitchen stove. But the reality is, the fuel that powers our two‑wheelers, the diesel that runs trucks delivering wheat to villages, even the LNG that heats homes in colder states – a big chunk of it travels through Hormuz.
In most cases, the price we pay at the pump reflects, albeit indirectly, what’s happening in that little corridor between Iran and Oman. When ships get delayed there, the whole supply chain feels the pinch – you might notice a slight rise in petrol prices or a delay in the arrival of crude at Indian refineries.
Just last month, I was at the Mumbai port watching a massive oil tanker slowly inch its way towards the anchorage. The crew seemed nervous; the captain kept checking the radio for any update from the Hormuz control centre. That’s the kind of everyday scene that underlines why the Indian government is so vocal about keeping the passage free and safe.
What the Indian government’s stance actually looks like
When Randhir Jaiswal says "no discussion" with Iran on any toll, it’s not just a diplomatic line – it’s a concrete policy. The Ministry of External Affairs has consistently told shipping companies that Indian‑flagged vessels will not be asked to pay any extra fee. In practice, this means our shipowners can keep budgeting as usual, without having to add an unpredictable surcharge.
That’s a relief for a lot of Indian traders. Take the example of a small family‑run business in Gujarat that imports crude for a local refinery. They have to factor in shipping costs months in advance. If Tehran were to suddenly announce a $10 per ton toll, it would mess up their financial planning. The government’s clear message helps them avoid that nightmare.
It also signals to the international community that India stands by the principle of freedom of navigation, something that’s been a cornerstone of maritime law since the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Basically, we’re saying, "Let the ships sail, don’t make them pay extra just because they’re passing through."
How the toll speculation started and why it matters
There’s been a lot of chatter in the media about Iran possibly charging a transit fee. Some reports claim the fee could be steep – up to several hundred dollars per vessel. In most cases, those numbers come from analysts who are trying to gauge Tehran’s financial needs, especially with the sanctions pressure it’s under.
But until there’s an official statement from Iran, we can’t say for sure. The Indian side, as Jaiswal emphasised, hasn’t had any talks on that front. It’s a bit like hearing rumours about a new tax on the road – until the government actually announces it, everyone just waits and watches.
Meanwhile, the tension itself creates a ripple effect. Even the notion that a toll might be introduced can make ship operators a bit jittery. They may choose longer routes around the Arabian Sea, which adds fuel costs and time. And that, in turn, can affect the price of oil globally, not just in India.
Impact on shipping – the real‑world picture
On the ground, the congestion in Hormuz looks like a queue of massive tankers, each the size of a small town, waiting for a turn. Some of them belong to Indian shipping lines, and they’re literally stuck for days. For a crew that’s been at sea for weeks, the delay is nothing short of a nightmare.
During the temporary ceasefire that’s been brokered, there’s a little window where ships can move more freely. India has been trying to use that time to push oil shipments faster. Think of it as a “rush hour” where the government is trying to get as many cars – or in this case, tankers – through the tunnel before the traffic jam returns.
If you ever visited the port of Kochi, you could see the after‑effects: longer wait times for receiving crude, which then pushes back the schedule for power plants that rely on that fuel. It’s a chain reaction that starts half a world away and ends up affecting the lights in a small town in Kerala.
India’s diplomatic dance with Iran
India has always tried to keep a balanced relationship with Iran. On one hand, we import a lot of crude oil from there; on the other, we are mindful of the wider geopolitical scenario, especially the concerns of the United States and Gulf Arab states. So when it comes to discussing any tolls, the Indian government is walking on a tightrope.
Randhir Jaiswal’s statements at the press briefing reflect that tightrope walk. By saying there’s “absolutely no discussion” on tolls, New Delhi is sending a clear message to Tehran: we’re not looking to bargain over fees that could set a precedent for other waterways.
At the same time, India is still in dialogue with Iran to ensure smoother movement of oil during the cease‑fire. It’s a bit like saying, "We’re not paying extra, but we’re still talking about how to keep the traffic flowing." That approach lets both sides keep the door open for cooperation without compromising on the principle of free navigation.
What this means for the average Indian
For most of us, the headline reads like another diplomatic tussle. But the ripple effect is visible in everyday life. When ships are delayed, the supply chain faces hiccups – it could mean a slight rise in petrol prices over a few weeks, or a delay in the arrival of imported goods that rely on oil‑based logistics.
On the positive side, India’s firm stance on free navigation helps keep the global oil market relatively stable. If every country started asking for tolls, the cost of transporting oil would shoot up, and that would eventually hit our wallets. So, the government’s insistence on “free and safe navigation" is, in a way, looking out for our pockets.
Also, the fact that there’s no aGreement on tolls yet keeps the option open for future negotiations that could benefit India – perhaps a reduced fee or a special arrangement for Indian‑flagged vessels. Until then, the status quo helps us avoid extra costs.
Looking ahead – possible scenarios
If Iran decides to go ahead with a formal toll, we could see a few outcomes. One possibility is that the international community, via the International Maritime Organization, would step in to mediate. Another is that India would raise the issue at forums like the G20, seeking broader support for the principle of free passage.
Alternatively, Tehran might keep the toll talk as a bargaining chip without actually implementing it, hoping to extract concessions elsewhere. In that case, the current Indian stance – “no discussion" – would serve as a strong rebuttal, keeping the conversation focused on safety rather than fees.
Whatever happens, the underlying fact remains: the Strait of Hormuz is too important to let any single country dictate terms that could disrupt global oil flows. And that’s why India, along with many other nations, remains vigilant about keeping it open.
Conclusion – staying the course
So, to sum it up in simple words: India is not ready to pay extra for using the Hormuz passage, and we’ve told Iran that clearly. The strait remains a bottleneck that can affect everything from the price of petrol at a local pump to the electricity bills of a family in a remote village.
Our government’s consistent message – “free and safe navigation" – is about protecting our national interest, but it also aligns with the broader global need for open seas. As long as the situation stays the way it is, we’ll keep urging all parties to respect that principle, while quietly hoping for smoother ship movements and fewer delays.
