Naval ships escort Indian vessels from Gulf of Oman

Indian Navy warships escort merchant vessels in the Gulf of Oman, ensuring safe passage amid regional tensions under Operation Sankalp.

The Indian Navy has deployed warships to escort Indian-flagged merchant vessels transiting through the Persian Gulf region, according to official sources. 

Three Indian Navy ships have escorted the Indian-flagged merchant ships Shivalik, Nanda Devi, and Jag Laadki from Gulf of Oman after they crossed the Strait of Hormuz. The warships ensured the safe transit of vessels through vulnerable waters.

Though the conflict has been intense in the Persian Gulf west of the Strait of Hormuz, the Gulf of Oman, east of the strait, has also seen attacks. Jag Laadki, carrying more than 80,000 tonnes of crude oil, left the Fujairah terminal in the UAE on Sunday (March 15, 2026). The vessel had a narrow escape when the terminal was attacked while it was loading.

Sources said that naval ship escort to Indian merchant ships will continue to be provided. Some 22 Indian-flagged ships are still stranded west of the strait.

While officials declined to disclose the names of the naval ships involved, a senior official confirmed that the warships were operating in the region under Operation Sankalp, a mission aimed at safeguarding merchant shipping and protecting India’s maritime interests in the Gulf region.

Launched in June 2019, Operation Sankalp ensures the safe passage of Indian-flagged vessels through critical sea lanes, and saw action including during the Houthi attacks.