In a recent update regarding the safety of Indian seafarers in West Asia, the Indian Shipping Ministry has confirmed that all Indian nationals in the region are safe, with no incidents reported involving Indian-flagged vessels over the past 48 hours. Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Mukesh Mangal, spoke at a joint inter-ministerial briefing, assuring that the situation is being closely monitored. Currently, there are 18 Indian vessels with approximately 485 seafarers in the Persian Gulf, and over 964 seafarers have already been repatriated safely. Mangal emphasized that port operations in India are functioning normally, without any reports of congestion or delays in logistics.
The Directorate General of Shipping’s communication center has been actively engaged, handling 70 calls and 245 emails in the last 24 hours to ensure real-time updates and respond effectively to inquiries regarding maritime safety. The ministry is maintaining ongoing coordination among various stakeholders, including Indian missions abroad and other government ministries, to address any emerging issues.
Despite concerns related to the developing security situation in West Asia and the Gulf region, around 598,000 passengers have successfully returned to India. This is indicative of the proactive measures implemented by the Central Government to facilitate safe travels amidst the crisis. Additionally, there was a minor incident in Dubai where debris from an interception caused injuries to three Indian nationals, and the Indian consulate in Dubai is providing necessary assistance.
Aseem R. Mahajan, Additional Secretary (Gulf) in the Ministry of External Affairs, reported an improvement in flight operations, with nearly 90 flights scheduled from the UAE to India on the day of the briefing. The Indian government is keen on maintaining stability in critical sectors during this tumultuous period, ensuring the safety of its citizens and the continuity of energy supplies and maritime operations.
The ongoing crisis, which began on February 28 with US-Israel military strikes on Iran, has escalated tensions in the region, prompting swift responses from various governments. Given the developing situation, the Indian authorities remain vigilant and committed to safeguarding the interests of Indian nationals abroad while ensuring the smooth functioning of maritime and port operations.
Original publication date: [original_date]
