CURRENT AFFAIRS | 23 APRIL 2026
On 22 April 2026, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy seized the India-bound oil tanker MV Epaminondas, which was heading to Mundra port, Gujarat, in the Strait of Hormuz. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh responded that India may have a role in bringing peace to West Asia. The incident sits at the intersection of international law of the sea, diaspora protection, and India’s energy security — roughly 40% of India’s crude oil imports transit Hormuz, and the Gulf hosts 300,000+ Indian nationals.
International & Indian Legal Framework
- UNCLOS 1982, Articles 37-38 — Transit passage through international straits; non-suspendable; ships and aircraft of all states entitled.
- UNCLOS Art 87 — Freedom of the high seas (navigation, overflight, fishing, submarine cables).
- UNCLOS Art 17-21 — Innocent passage through territorial sea (contrast with transit passage).
- SUA Convention 1988 — Suppression of Unlawful Acts against Maritime Safety (post-Achille Lauro).
- Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 (India) — Registration, flag, crew standards.
- Maritime Zones Act, 1976 (India) — Territorial waters (12 nm), contiguous zone (24 nm), EEZ (200 nm).
- Article 51, Constitution of India (DPSP) — State to promote international peace and respect for international law.
CLAT Angle: Public International Law Bonanza
Law of the sea and diaspora evacuation are staple CLAT 2027 topics. Expect: UNCLOS article numbers, the Enrica Lexie arbitration, the distinction between innocent passage (suspendable) and transit passage (non-suspendable), and operation names (Sankalp, Kaveri, Ganga, Sindhu).
Key Cases, Operations, Facts
| Item | Significance |
|---|---|
| Enrica Lexie (Italian Marines) | 2020 PCA award — Italy’s functional immunity upheld; India compensated |
| Strait of Hormuz | International strait; Iran-Oman territorial waters, but transit passage non-suspendable |
| Op Sankalp (2019-) | Indian Navy escort in Gulf of Oman / Strait of Hormuz |
| Op Kaveri (2023) | Sudan evacuation |
| Op Ganga (2022) | Ukraine evacuation |
| Op Sindhu (2025) | Iran-Israel conflict evacuation |
Mnemonic: “37-38 & You Can’t Wait”
Transit passage (Art 37-38) is non-suspendable — coastal state cannot pause it. Contrast innocent passage (Art 17-21) which can be suspended for security.
India’s evacuation ops — “SKGS“: Sankalp (escort), Kaveri (Sudan), Ganga (Ukraine), Sindhu (Iran).
Practice Quiz — Test Your Mastery
Practice Quiz — 10 CLAT-Style Questions
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