What Happened
- Hundreds of commercial vessels, including ships with Indian crew, have been stranded near the Strait of Hormuz and the port of Bandar Abbas, Iran, for approximately two weeks following the outbreak of the US-Israel–Iran conflict on February 28, 2026.
- Approximately 23,000 Indians work on merchant, harbour, and offshore vessels across the Gulf region; many have been unable to leave their ships or communicate with their families.
- Iranian drone boats and sea mines have been reported in the area; at least six vessels were attacked, and Indian crew members reported seeing fires on nearby ships and receiving emergency wireless alerts.
- Iranian authorities ordered Starlink satellite internet disconnected aboard some vessels, further isolating crew members.
- Three Indian crew members were killed and one was reported missing during the crisis as of mid-March 2026.
- India's government is coordinating with Iranian authorities and deploying Indian Navy escorts to bring vessels safely through.
- Sailors described intense anxiety: monitoring overhead aircraft and drones as a "hobby", difficulty sleeping, and limited communication with families.
Static Topic Bridges
Maritime Security and the Laws of Armed Conflict at Sea
International humanitarian law (IHL) and the laws of naval warfare — codified in instruments including the San Remo Manual on International Law Applicable to Armed Conflicts at Sea (1994) — govern the conduct of hostilities at sea. Merchant vessels of neutral states enjoy protection unless they are carrying contraband or contributing to the enemy's war effort. Attacking neutral commercial ships without warning or without providing safety to crew is prohibited. Drone boats and naval mines are particularly hazardous because they are indiscriminate — international law requires that mines be recorded and neutralised after hostilities.
- San Remo Manual (1994): key non-binding codification of naval warfare law
- Neutral merchant vessels are protected unless carrying contraband (contraband list must be declared)
- Sea mines: customary law requires recording of positions and removal after conflict
- Drone boats: emerging technology not yet specifically governed; existing IHL proportionality and distinction principles apply
Connection to this news: Indian sailors on neutral merchant vessels have a legal entitlement to protection under the laws of armed conflict at sea, and Iran's deployment of indiscriminate drones and sea mines creates obligations both for Iran and for India to seek legal recourse internationally.
India's Seafarer Workforce and Its Economic Significance
India is one of the world's largest suppliers of maritime labour. As of 2024, India had approximately 250,000 active seafarers and ranked among the top five countries globally for seafarer supply, contributing about 10–12% of the world's total officer workforce. The shipping and maritime sector contributes significantly to India's service exports. The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways regulates Indian seafarers, and the Indian Maritime University (IMU) trains maritime professionals. Seafarers from Kerala, Goa, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh constitute a large share of the workforce.
- India: ~250,000 active seafarers (2024 estimate)
- India is among top five global seafarer-supplying nations
- Indian officers constitute ~10–12% of global maritime officer workforce
- DGS: regulatory authority for Indian seafarers
- Indian Maritime University: apex institution for maritime education
Connection to this news: The stranding of Indian sailors in a conflict zone highlights the vulnerability of India's maritime labour workforce to geopolitical disruptions, and the inadequacy of current welfare frameworks in conflict scenarios at sea.
Operation Sankalp and Indian Navy's Role in Maritime Escort
India launched Operation Sankalp in June 2019, deploying Indian Navy warships to the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz to escort Indian-flagged merchant vessels following a series of tanker attacks. The Indian Maritime Doctrine identifies protection of sea lanes of communication (SLOCs) as a core naval responsibility. India maintains a continuous naval presence in the Arabian Sea, with two warships permanently stationed south of the Arabian Peninsula — one in the Gulf of Aden for anti-piracy operations (since 2008) and one in the Gulf of Oman under Operation Sankalp.
- Operation Sankalp launched: June 2019
- Mandate: escort Indian-flagged merchant ships through the Gulf of Oman/Hormuz
- Indian Navy maintains continuous presence in the Arabian Sea/Gulf of Oman
- Anti-piracy operations running in Gulf of Aden since 2008
- Indian Maritime Doctrine (2004, 2009, 2014 editions): SLOCs as core naval mission
Connection to this news: The deployment of Indian Navy warships to escort MV Shivalik and MV Nanda Devi is a direct activation of the Operation Sankalp framework, but the crisis also reveals that hundreds of other stranded vessels with Indian crews are not covered by this narrow escort mandate.
Geopolitical Stakes: India's Neutrality in the Iran–US–Israel Conflict
India's approach to the Iran–US–Israel conflict reflects its broader doctrine of strategic autonomy. India has historically maintained ties with both Iran (Chabahar Port, INSTC) and with the US and Israel (defence partnerships, technology). India did not co-sign statements condemning Iran, nor did it condemn the US-Israeli strikes. This "equidistance" approach — similar to India's position on Russia-Ukraine — allows India to engage diplomatically with Iran to protect its nationals and energy supply, while avoiding alienating its strategic partners. The MEA's statements have focused on humanitarian concerns (Indian nationals' safety) rather than political positions.
- India's strategic autonomy doctrine: avoid formal military alliances, maintain independent foreign policy
- India-Iran: Chabahar Port, INSTC, historical energy trade
- India-US: Major Defence Partner (2016), defence technology, strategic convergence in Indo-Pacific
- India-Israel: growing defence and technology partnership since 1990s
- India did not condemn either party publicly in the 2026 conflict
Connection to this news: India's ability to secure Iranian cooperation for the passage of its vessels and the safety of its sailors is a direct dividend of its policy of maintaining independent ties with Tehran, even as it deepened partnerships with the US and Israel.
Key Facts & Data
- ~23,000 Indians working on commercial vessels in the Gulf region
- Three Indian crew members killed, one missing as of mid-March 2026
- Conflict began: February 28, 2026 (US-Israel strikes on Iran)
- Port of Bandar Abbas: Iran's main commercial port where vessels were stranded
- Iran deployed drone boats and sea mines in the Gulf area
- Starlink internet ordered disconnected on some vessels by Iranian authorities
- India: ~250,000 active seafarers, top-five global supplier of maritime labour
- Operation Sankalp: launched June 2019, continuous Indian Navy presence in Gulf of Oman
- India's anti-piracy mission in Gulf of Aden running since 2008