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Tharoor Urges Iran to Keep Strait Open as US Grants India Oil Waiver

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor emphasized the urgent need for diplomacy, hoping Iran would not close the vital Strait of Hormuz to shipping. His comments come as the US issued a 30-day waiver allowing India to purchase stranded Russian oil to meet its energy needs. This temporary measure aims to alleviate pressure from Middle East supply disruptions following escalated tensions. India remains vulnerable, sourcing nearly 40% of its oil imports through the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz.

Key Points: India's Oil Concerns Amid Iran Tensions: Tharoor, US Waiver

  • Tharoor urges diplomacy over Strait of Hormuz
  • US grants India 30-day Russian oil waiver
  • Iran tensions risk global energy supplies
  • India sources 40% of oil from conflict region
2 min read

"Hope Iran will relent and let ships go through": Shashi Tharoor as conflict affects trade through Strait of Hormuz

Shashi Tharoor calls for diplomacy as Iran tensions threaten Strait of Hormuz trade. US grants India a 30-day waiver to buy Russian oil.

"We hope that Iran will relent and let ships go through. - Shashi Tharoor"

New Delhi, March 6

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor pushed for diplomacy and negotiated settlement as the West Asia Conflict continued to escalate, hampering the trade through the Strait of Hormuz.

Tharoor, noting that Iran has the capacity to close the Strait of Hormuz, hoped that it would relent and let the ships go through.

"It affects us too because there have been a lot of consequences already... The sooner this war ends, the better for everyone... The need for diplomacy and for a negotiated settlement is very urgent... We'd be stuck like everybody else is stuck because Iran has the capacity to close the straits. Eventually, we hope that Iran will relent and let ships go through. But at the moment, I don't think India alone can do anything... India has already called for de-escalation and diplomacy, which are the only ways forward," he said.

Meanwhile, the US said it has allowed a 30-day waiver for India to purchase Russian Oil to meet its energy requirements.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said, "President Trump's energy agenda has resulted in oil and gas production reaching the highest levels ever recorded. To enable oil to keep flowing into the global market, the Treasury Department is issuing a temporary 30-day waiver to allow Indian refiners to purchase Russian oil."

"This deliberately short-term measure will not provide significant financial benefit to the Russian government as it only authorises transactions involving oil already stranded at sea. India is an essential partner of the United States, and we fully anticipate that New Delhi will ramp up purchases of U.S. oil. This stop-gap measure will alleviate pressure caused by Iran's attempt to take global energy hostage," he added.

The waiver comes at a time when India continues to face potential risks linked to energy supply disruptions in the Middle East amid escalating tensions in West Asia after a joint US-Israel military strike on February 28 on Iranian territory resulted in the death of its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior figures.

India sources nearly 40 per cent of its oil imports from the region, with a significant portion transported through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Interesting that the US gives a 30-day waiver for Russian oil while pushing for de-escalation. Feels like mixed signals. India's energy security is paramount, we need stable partners and diverse sources.
A
Aditya G
This is a wake-up call. We are too dependent on one region. Time to seriously invest in renewables and explore other suppliers. Our foreign policy needs to be stronger, not just hoping others 'relent'.
P
Priyanka N
The US statement is quite patronizing – "we fully anticipate New Delhi will ramp up purchases of U.S. oil." We should make decisions based on our national interest and cost, not anticipation. Jai Hind.
K
Karthik V
A very complex situation. We have good relations with both the Gulf nations and Iran. Our diplomacy must walk a tightrope to protect our citizens and our economy. Hope cooler heads prevail everywhere.
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Michael C
Respectfully, while I agree with the need for diplomacy, simply hoping Iran relents isn't a strategy. India should be proactively engaging with all stakeholders in the region to ensure freedom of navigation is maintained.

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