Abu Dhabi: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for an "open and safe" Strait of Hormuz during a brief visit to the United Arab Emirates on Friday, the start of a five-nation tour overshadowed by energy and supply chain worries due to regional tensions in the Gulf.

Modi, whose plane was guided in and out of UAE airspace by military jets, received a guard of honour and met President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan before departing for the Netherlands. "Keeping Hormuz free, open and safe is our highest priority, and in this matter adherence to international laws is essential," Modi said.

Disruptions to Gulf shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz have put oil and gas markets in a spin, raising pressure on energy importers such as India, which was forced to hike petrol and diesel prices on Friday. India normally sources about half of its crude through the strait, which has been largely blocked by Iran since the war began in late February.

The two sides agreed to explore increasing UAE giant ADNOC's oil storage in India to up to 30 million barrels, as well as storing crude at the UAE's Fujairah port as part of India's strategic reserve. Modi's trip will also take him to Sweden, Norway, and Italy.

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