Current Affairs Topics Archive
International Relations Economics Polity & Governance Environment & Ecology Science & Technology Internal Security Geography Social Issues Art & Culture Modern History

India minces no words in criticising Iran, says attacks on shipping, Hormuz disruption ‘unacceptable’

March 20, 2026 4 min read International Relations Economics GS2 (International Relations) GS3 (Energy Security Economy)
On This Page ▼

What Happened

  • India issued its strongest diplomatic statement against Iran at the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) 36th extraordinary session, calling attacks on commercial shipping and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz "unacceptable."
  • India's Permanent Representative to the IMO stated: "We reiterate that targeting commercial shipping, endangering civilian crews and impeding safe and free navigation through international waterways, including the Strait of Hormuz, are unacceptable."
  • India flagged that at least 22 Indian-flagged vessels and 611 Indian seafarers remain in the Persian Gulf as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed sharply since the start of the conflict.
  • India warned of "grave risk of marine pollution" arising from attacks on commercial vessels in the waters.
  • A declaration tabled by the UAE and co-sponsored by over 115 IMO member-states — the most in the IMO's history — demanded that Tehran immediately refrain from any further attacks or actions disrupting civilian maritime vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.

Static Topic Bridges

The Strait of Hormuz: A Critical Maritime Chokepoint

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway located between Iran and Oman connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. It is the world's single most important oil transit chokepoint — a narrow passage through which there is no viable alternative route for the volume of energy it carries.

  • In 2024, oil flow through the Strait averaged 20 million barrels per day (b/d), representing approximately 20% of global petroleum liquids consumption.
  • Around 21% of global LNG trade also transits the Strait, primarily from Qatar.
  • Approximately 84% of crude oil flowing through the Strait is destined for Asian markets — India, China, Japan, and South Korea.
  • India is particularly exposed: roughly 50% of India's crude oil imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz; the Strait also accounts for over 50% of India's LNG imports and 90% of its LPG import needs.
  • India imports approximately 90% of its crude oil, making it the world's third-largest oil importer.

Connection to this news: India's unusually sharp diplomatic tone at the IMO reflects the direct threat a Hormuz closure poses to its energy security — half of India's oil passes through this single waterway, and over 600 Indian seafarers are directly at risk.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO)

The International Maritime Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for regulating international shipping, maritime safety, and prevention of marine pollution by ships. It sets global standards for the safety, security, and environmental performance of international shipping.

  • Established: 1948 (Convention adopted); became operational in 1958.
  • Headquarters: London, United Kingdom.
  • Members: 175 member states (India is a member and regularly participates in IMO councils).
  • Key instruments: SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea, 1974), MARPOL (Marine Pollution, 1973/78), Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW, 1978).
  • The IMO's Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) addresses threats to shipping safety including piracy and armed conflict risks.

Connection to this news: India chose the IMO's extraordinary session — a multilateral platform — to articulate its position, elevating a bilateral concern into a matter of global maritime law and shared international responsibility.

Freedom of navigation is a principle of international maritime law established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS, 1982). It guarantees the right of all states to have their ships sail through the high seas and straits used for international navigation.

  • UNCLOS Part III (Articles 34–44) governs "transit passage" through straits used for international navigation — states cannot suspend this right.
  • The Strait of Hormuz qualifies as an international strait under UNCLOS, giving ships (including warships) the right of transit passage.
  • Coastal states (Iran and Oman) cannot obstruct transit passage but may regulate lanes and traffic separation schemes.
  • India ratified UNCLOS in 1995 and consistently advocates freedom of navigation as a core tenet of its maritime policy.

Connection to this news: Iran's disruption of the Strait of Hormuz is a direct challenge to the transit passage rights guaranteed under UNCLOS — India's statement at the IMO is grounded in this legal framework.

Key Facts & Data

  • 20 million barrels per day: average oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz in 2024 (~20% of global consumption)
  • 50%: share of India's crude oil imports that transit the Strait of Hormuz
  • 611: number of Indian seafarers in the Persian Gulf as of India's IMO statement
  • 22: number of Indian-flagged vessels stranded or operating in the Persian Gulf
  • 115+: IMO member-states that co-sponsored the UAE declaration against Iran — the most in IMO history
  • India imports ~90% of its crude oil, making it the world's third-largest oil importer
  • IMO established: 1948 (operational 1958), headquartered in London