Seven Indian-flagged vessels, carrying 148 seafarers, are currently in the Persian Gulf region amidst escalating military tensions between the US and Iran. An Indian crew member was killed in a recent attack on a merchant ship, raising concerns about maritime safety and the fragile US-Iran peace deal.
Former US President Donald Trump stated that Gulf nations should reimburse the United States for safeguarding maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, while asserting that recent American military interventions have profoundly crippled Iran's military capabilities, claiming Iran has been "brought back to the Stone Ages."
Donald Trump announced he is replacing the 20% reimbursement fee for securing the Strait of Hormuz with massive trade and investment deals from Gulf States into the United States, while maintaining a full blockade on Iranian ship traffic.
Non-resident Indians (NRIs) in the Gulf region are increasingly purchasing term life insurance policies from India, driven by geopolitical uncertainties in West Asia and the significant cost advantages offered by Indian products, with the GCC region now contributing over half of the total NRI demand.
Not a single retail outlet ran dry. Every household that wanted a cylinder got one. India faced neither a 1991 moment nor a 2013 one. Macroeconomic stability held. This was not an accident, and it was not luck alone. It was the work of a government that chose to act as it had during the pandemic -- deliberately and gradually, building one measure upon another rather than reaching for a single dramatic lever, explains V Anantha Nageswaran, chief economic advisor to the Government of India.
'It will take a long time to recover from the impact of this war.'
India is the only significant power that all parties trust, or at least do not distrust, notes former defence secretary Ajay Kumar.
The Centre on Monday informed the Supreme Court that the Central Board of Secondary Examination has come up with a new policy for the evaluation of private students, who were affected by the cancellation of Class XII board examination in Gulf countries due to the recent Iran-US war.
A source familiar with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's thinking revealed on Saturday that the department "intends to utilise all available authorities to make Iranian assets accessible for rebuilding and repair efforts related to any future damage inflicted by Iran."
The Gulf countries on Monday welcomed a peace deal reached between the US and Iran to end their conflict and called for protection of maritime routes and freedom of international navigation, including the uninterrupted flow of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
India has expressed firm opposition to attacks on merchant shipping amidst the ongoing Iran conflict, revealing that several Indian nationals have died or are missing due to these incidents. The nation also called for restraint, de-escalation, and prioritising civilian safety in the region.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei claims a new chapter is emerging in the Persian Gulf due to the 'shameful failure' of the United States in the region, citing shifting regional dynamics and weakening foreign influence.
The Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) has instructed shipping companies to avoid deploying Indian sailors on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz due to the ongoing West Asia crisis, following recent attacks on two vessels carrying Indian seafarers.
Prem Panicker's Must Read Blog On The Gulf War.
Khamenei urged the pilgrims for unity and called on them to pray for "the liberation of Palestine and Al-Aqsa Mosque, the alleviation of the great hardships afflicting Muslims, and the attainment of ultimate victory against global arrogance."
Companies are already diversifying sourcing, raising prices, and reworking operating models as the disruption drags on.
India has condemned the attack on the Cyprus-flagged container ship M/V GFS Galaxy in the Strait of Hormuz, which resulted in one Indian crew member going missing. The United States responded with a third round of retaliatory strikes against Iranian targets, further escalating tensions in the Gulf.
The rupee recovered to 95.18 against the US dollar after hitting an all-time intra-day low of 95.44. The recovery was supported by possible RBI intervention amid renewed Gulf tensions and rising crude oil prices.
The Indian Consulate in Dubai has confirmed the tragic death of Indian sailor Herambh Karmarkar following an attack on the MV GFS Galaxy cargo vessel off the coast of Oman.
This is the time for India to plan forward fully, with the goal of Atmanirbharata, and energy security. The Persian Gulf is no longer a reliable source, points out Rajeev Srinivasan.
Iran's Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) has declared the Strait of Hormuz closed due to 'recent illegal movements' by the US military, demanding transit permits, while the US Central Command (CENTCOM) insists the strait is 'open to all vessels' and vows to ensure 'freedom of navigation'.
Iran has strongly criticised US plans to impose a blockade on its ports, warning that maritime security across the Persian Gulf region would be jeopardised if its own security is threatened.
'If movement remains stalled for three to four months, more than 300,000 recruitments from India could be affected.'
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has affirmed India's commitment to ensuring issues like a free, open, and rule-based maritime order, seafarer safety, and countering terror financing receive due attention at the UN Security Council during its 2028-29 term.
'We are getting used to the constant alerts to take shelter, listening to sonic booms from jets flying above us, hearing news of neighbouring ports being targeted, and being the only ship in the terminal.'
Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey met in Islamabad in what analysts say is the formal opening of a new diplomatic formation that could reshape the post-war regional order. Their immediate goal is a ceasefire; their larger ambition is to ensure that neither Iran nor Israel emerges from this war in a dominant position. Pakistan's foreign minister then flew directly to Beijing and mooted a Chinese role as guarantor of any eventual agreement. Prem Panicker continues his must read daily blog on the Gulf War.
US President Donald Trump announced the 'reinstatement' of an 'Iranian Blockade' in the Strait of Hormuz, stating the US would charge a 20 per cent levy on transiting cargo for providing security, while Iran warned against any US interference, reaffirming its authority over the critical waterway.
'Refiners may soon be forced to adjust operations, curtailing runs as product exports stall and directing output solely to domestic markets.'
Donald Trump has escalated rhetoric against Iran by posting AI-generated images and videos depicting US military strikes, warning Tehran that time is running out to secure a ceasefire agreement.
Data reveals a disturbing trend of Indian worker deaths abroad, particularly in Gulf nations, alongside numerous complaints of exploitation and labour rights violations.
India significantly increased its crude oil imports from Russia and the United Arab Emirates in June, securing supplies as the Strait of Hormuz began to reopen, with Russian barrels remaining attractive due to discounts and UAE supplies offsetting earlier uncertainties.
The Directorate General of Shipping has advised Indian maritime agencies to restrict the deployment of seafarers to conflict areas following a US military strike that killed three Indian crew members off the Oman coast. India has also protested the attack, which occurred amidst heightened tensions in the Gulf region.
History is rarely decided by who has the biggest weapons, but by who has the better process. The same rule applies to investing, says Ramalingam Kalirajan.
Following a Memorandum of Understanding between the US and Iran to resolve the West Asia conflict, eleven India-bound vessels have successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz. This development signals a positive shift for maritime trade, with more Indian-flagged ships expected to pass through the crucial waterway soon.
It may now be time to question the price India is paying for Israel's disregard of the serious undermining of India's energy security, asserts former foreign secretary Shyam Saran.
'In India, there is this first generation migrant, say from a small village in UP. He didn't go to the Gulf to buy a big house but make the life of his family better.' 'He may have paid 1 lakh rupees to an agent to go to the Gulf. Imagine what will happen to him and his family if he has to come back. He and his family will become poor again.' 'He went to the Gulf to come out of poverty, but this war will make his family trapped in poverty once again.'
The Asian Team Squash Championship, scheduled to be held in Islamabad in April, has been postponed due to the ongoing conflict in the Gulf region.
The United States has redirected 48 vessels in the Persian Gulf, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz, over the past 20 days amid ongoing enforcement actions related to restrictions on Iranian maritime assets by the US Navy.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility for missile and drone strikes on US military installations in Bahrain, describing the operations as the second phase of its retaliatory campaign. This announcement follows US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirming its own large-scale offensive targeting Iranian military infrastructure.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar lodged a strong protest with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio over US Navy attacks in the Gulf that killed three Indian mariners. India also summoned the US Charge d'Affaires in New Delhi regarding the incident.
