Indian Missions in Gulf Providing 24/7 Support to Ships and Seafarers, MEA Says
New Delhi — Indian diplomatic missions across the Gulf are maintaining round-the-clock support for Indian-flagged vessels and seafarers as regional tensions continue to rise, the Ministry of External Affairs said Friday.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Indian missions are in regular contact with the Ministry of Shipping, maritime agencies and local authorities to provide assistance whenever required.
“This is a subject of high importance, and we attach high priority to the issue. Our missions all across the Gulf region are in constant contact with the Ministry of Shipping, as also with maritime authorities in those countries and other authorities as well, so that as and when any support is required to be provided to our seafarers or Indian flagged ships, they can do that,” Jaiswal said during a media briefing in New Delhi.
He said Indian missions have also continued operating 24-hour helplines that can be used by seafarers and other Indian nationals seeking assistance.
“They have been running 24/7 helplines so that any person who needs support, not just seafarers but others, can also approach them. These 24×7 helplines have been operating throughout the last several months; they continue to be run,” he said.
Jaiswal reiterated India’s call for safe and unrestricted navigation and the free movement of commercial traffic through international waterways.
“We also call upon all parties to refrain from targeting civilian infrastructure and especially commercial vessels and seafarers,” he said.
The comments come after the Indian-flagged vessel MSV Faize Noore Oliya sank in the Red Sea off Yemen earlier this week following an attack involving an explosives-laden boat.
The MEA condemned the attack and said all 13 Indian nationals aboard the vessel were rescued. The Indian Embassy in Riyadh has been coordinating with Yemeni authorities and monitoring the safety of the crew.
“The continuing incidents of attacks on commercial shipping in the region are deeply worrisome. The targeting of commercial shipping in the region must end, and free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through the international waterways in the region, in keeping with international law, must be restored at the earliest,” the ministry said.
Yemen’s government-aligned National Resistance Forces blamed the Houthi group for the attack. (Source: IANS)
