Jammu, March 14 Prime Minister Narendra Modi's global standing has helped India secure its energy supplies amidst the escalating military conflict between Iran and the US, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said on Saturday.
He stated that the war situation had led to either a reduction or complete halt in the supply of LPG and gas to many nations, causing a major crisis in several parts of the world.
"It is a matter of great pride that our prime minister has such a respected position globally, and that no one ignores what he says."
"Even today, when gas supply to many other countries has been stopped, after just one phone call from Modi, such is his respect and honour in the world that our ships have already sailed from there," the Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office told reporters in Kathua.
Recalling the Ukraine conflict, Singh said Modi's intervention had earlier helped secure safe passage for Indian students stranded there.
Two Indian ships carrying LPG from the Gulf countries crossed the Strait of Hormuz early on Saturday morning, bringing the total number of Indian vessels safely passing through the war-affected, narrow shipping lane to three.
The remaining 22 ships on the west side of the strait are on standby as the Indian government engages with governments in the region to ensure their safe passage.
LPG carriers Shivalik and Nanda Devi are now headed to Mundra and Kandla ports in Gujarat, Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Special Secretary in the Ministry of Shipping, told a media briefing.
The vessels are carrying 92,700 tonnes of LPG, he said, adding that Shivalik is likely to reach Mundra on March 16, and Nanda Devi is likely to dock at Kandla the next day.