New Delhi, May 14 (ANI) — Former Indian envoy Sanjay Sudhir said on Thursday that while the Strait of Hormuz is effectively closed amid the current West Asia standoff, it has never been permanently closed in past crises and “going by the discussions between the parties, it will open up at some point.” Sudhir made the remarks in an interview with ANI and urged planning now for the moment the strait reopens.
Sudhir, who served as India’s Ambassador to the UAE from 2021 to 2025 and to the Maldives from 2019 to 2021, noted that the temporary closure of the vital waterway has already disrupted global energy markets. The Strait of Hormuz normally carries about 20 percent of the world’s fuel supply, making any interruption significant for international energy security.
“We are always planning for tomorrow. Hormuz is closed today, but Hormuz has never been closed in the past,” he said. “There have been so many crises in that area, but it is for the first time that this is closed, and I am very hopeful that going by the discussions between the parties, it will open up at some point and we have to plan today for that situation when Hormuz opens.” He added that leaders’ discussions are likely to address preparations for reopening and the post-closure logistics.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi begins a five-nation visit starting in the UAE tomorrow. Sources indicate two important memoranda of understanding, in the areas of LPG supply and Strategic Petroleum Reserves, are expected to be finalized during the trip. Sudhir said the visit is “very significant” given the current situation in West Asia and could help bolster India’s energy security through long-term supply arrangements for LPG and LNG.
Referring to the UAE’s plans to expand crude output to 5 million barrels per day by 2027 after its decision to leave OPEC, Sudhir suggested Indian companies may pursue longer-term contracts with Gulf producers amid changing global energy dynamics.
He also highlighted the close, multi-level relationship between India and the UAE. The prime minister’s visit will be his eighth to the UAE, while the UAE President has visited India five times. “It means more than once a year, our leadership has been meeting either in the UAE or in India, in addition to other meetings,” Sudhir said, noting strong ties across generations and continued engagement by crown princes and other leaders.
Sudhir expressed hope that discussions between leaders during the visit will build on recent engagements and address both immediate and longer-term challenges posed by the West Asia tensions. (ANI)
