SANJAYA
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Country focus
West Asia
Trigger country of the 2026 West Asia crisis
US-Israeli strikes (Operation Epic Fury, 28 February 2026) effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20% of global oil and 20% of global LNG transit. Iran subsequently granted India bilateral safe passage — one of five nations under the vessel exemption secured 26 March 2026. India's energy track with Iran has been quietly active despite suspended crude flows since 2019; Chabahar Port remains the structural commitment.
Diplomacy in the energy sector
India runs a bilateral track with Iran on safe passage rather than joining the US-led naval coalition framing — energy pragmatism over public alignment. The IRIS Lavan docking at Kochi (4 March 2026) is the load-bearing proof point of where India sits in the conflict.
Key points
India relations
India has chosen to negotiate bilaterally with Iran for safe passage rather than join Washington's proposed naval coalition. India quietly resumed Iranian oil and gas imports after a seven-year gap. Approximately 1,000 Indians repatriated from Iran specifically since 28 February 2026 (EAM Rajya Sabha statement, 9 March 2026).
Geopolitics
Pre-2019: Iran was a major Indian crude supplier; flows suspended on US sanctions. Post-2025: quiet structural re-engagement around Chabahar. Post-28 February 2026: trigger country of the regional disruption AND the channel through which India secured continuity for its Gulf-bound vessels. The two facts are simultaneous and deliberate.
Major companies
Iran's state oil and gas operator.
Indian PSU upstream arm.
India ties · Historic Farzad-B gas block discovery; Indian developer right not awarded — exit confirmed in parliamentary record.
PSU consortium operating Shahid Beheshti Port (Chabahar) under 10-year agreement signed May 2024.
India ties · USD 370 million committed; equipment supply and operations.
Pre-2019 term-crude buyers of Iranian Heavy and Iranian Light grades.
India ties · Term flows suspended since 2019 sanctions snapback.
Routes and players
Cargo route data not yet wired for this country.
Recent developments
2026-04-06
By Day 38, nine India-flagged vessels had successfully transited Hormuz under the exemption framework, including the LPG carrier Green Asha (6 April).
Source: Inter-ministerial briefing, NMC, 6 April 2026
2026-03-26
Iran extended selective transit through Hormuz to vessels flagged for India, China, Russia, Iraq, and Pakistan. Two SCI LPG carriers transited successfully the same day.
Source: PIB / NMC briefing, 26 March 2026
2026-03-09
Three principles framework: peace and dialogue; safety of the Indian community (67,000 returned by 9 March); India's national interests on energy and trade.
Source: Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, 9 March 2026
2026-03-04
Iranian Navy ship developed technical issues during the International Fleet Review; India approved docking on 1 March, ship docked 4 March, crew of 183 accommodated at Indian naval facilities. A deliberate civilisational-continuity gesture.
Source: MoPNG / MEA briefing record
2026-02-28
Joint strikes triggered effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping. EAM Jaishankar held first telephone conversation with Iranian FM Araghchi the same day.
Source: EAM Rajya Sabha statement, 9 March 2026
Sources
Linked developments point to the source record held for that entry. Some country summaries, route descriptions, and static reference notes are authored context and may not carry a source URL. Dates belong to the individual development entries; absence of a link is not a claim of current verification. Where present, sources include Indian government records, company material, and public institutional records.