New Delhi urges Hormuz reopening at summit

India will cap monthly increases in aviation turbine fuel prices ‌for ⁠domestic ⁠flights at 25%, the government said ​in a statement on ​Thursday.

On Wednesday, the Indian government had stepped in to limit the impact of record-high jet fuel prices on airlines and air fares as Indian public sector oil companies have more than doubled the price of aviation turbine fuel.

Prices in New Delhi have reached Rs 207,341.22 ($2,212 or €1,911) per kiloliter, Indian media reported, while the price of jet fuel for international flights has risen by 107%.

Indian oil companies determine the market price of aviation fuel and announce the revised rate on the first day of every month.

The hike is due in part to the disrupted fuel supply chain in the Middle East, and partly due to the Indian rupee’s worst performance in 14 years.

India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri called for “freedom of navigation and unimpeded transit through international waterways” at a virtual summit Thursday, chaired by the United Kingdom, on the Middle East crisis, according to a statement by India’s Foreign Ministry.

At the meeting, which was attended by more than 60 countries, Misri pointed out that “India remains the only country to have lost mariners in attacks on merchant shipping in the Gulf,” the statement said.

Misri stressed the need for de-escalation and a return to diplomacy, as he highlighted the impact of the crisis on India’s energy security.

The UK convened the meeting to discuss reopening and securing safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, but no concrete agreement was reached, officials said.

This comes even as concerns grow over rising oil prices and uncertainty about US involvement in ensuring maritime security.

On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump vowed to continue the attacks on Iran, but did not lay out a plan to reopen the vital waterway. Instead, he shifted responsibility to countries he said rely on oil that passes through the Strait of Hormuz.

Hi! This is Shakeel from DW’s New Delhi Studio bringing you the latest updates from across India.

The Iran war continues to roil global oil markets. India, along with a group of nations, is exploring ways to reopen the Strait of Hormuz without US involvement.

Fissures are appearing within the leadership of the Aam Aadmi Party with the party dropping Member of Parliament Raghav Chadha as the deputy leader in the upper house.

Meanwhile, do cooking gas cylinders hidden in a graveyard need to be exorcised first? Hyderabad police confiscated hundreds of them from a cemetery amid shortages due to the Iran war.

And also, if you were excited about the proposed 60% free-seat rule for flights — you may have to wait, as the government has put the plan on hold for now.

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