India's Ministry of External Affairs called in Iran's ambassador, Dr. Mohammad Fathali, after two Indian-flagged oil tankers were targeted in the Strait of Hormuz [1].
The diplomatic friction occurs amid heightened tensions between the U.S. and Iran, threatening the safety of commercial shipping lanes critical to global energy supplies.
On Saturday, April 18, 2026, two Indian-flagged vessels were fired upon and prevented from crossing the Strait of Hormuz [2, 3]. The incident prompted an immediate response from the Indian government in New Delhi, where Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri was involved in the diplomatic proceedings [1].
A spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs said India expressed "deep concern" over the incident [4]. The ministry's communication emphasized the gravity of the shooting incident involving the two ships [5].
Reports on the nature of the encounter vary slightly among sources. Some accounts state the vessels were prevented from crossing the strait [1], while other reports specify that the ships were fired upon during the encounter [2, 6].
Vikram Misri said India had called in the Iranian envoy to flag its "deep concern" over the attack on the two vessels [6]. The move signals India's intent to protect its maritime interests and ensure the security of its flagged fleet in volatile waters.
India has not yet detailed any casualties or specific damage to the two tankers [1, 2]. The Ministry of External Affairs continues to monitor the situation as regional stability remains precarious.
“India expressed "deep concern" over the incident.”
This incident highlights the precarious position of neutral trading nations during US-Iran escalations. By calling in the ambassador, India is utilizing a formal diplomatic channel to warn Tehran that interference with its commercial shipping is unacceptable, balancing its strategic autonomy with the necessity of maritime security in the Persian Gulf.
