More than 4,048 Indian seafarers have been repatriated amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia, Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said on Saturday, stressing that the safety and welfare of Indian seafarers remain a top priority for the government.
Sonowal said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed the authorities to ensure the safety, security and welfare of Indian seafarers affected by the conflict.
Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, the minister said the Directorate General of Merchant Shipping (DGMS) had held a meeting with the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, Recruitment and Placement Service providers (RPSL) and shipping authorities to strengthen coordination.
“More than 4,048 seafarers have been repatriated recently, and we have helped the families of the victims. We believe taking care of the families of the seafarers is also our responsibility,” Sonowal said.
He said an integrated mechanism would be put in place to ensure that the location and condition of every Indian seafarer is available with the maritime authorities.
Sonowal said the government was working closely with shipping companies and other agencies to ensure timely assistance to Indian seafarers and their families.
The minister's remarks came amid heightened concerns over the safety of Indian vessels and crew members following attacks on commercial shipping in the region.
Also read: 13 Indian sailors rescued after Red Sea attack
On Friday, the Ministry of External Affairs said the safety and security of Indian vessels and seafarers remained a matter of “high importance” following the sinking of an Indian-flagged commercial vessel in the Red Sea off the coast of Yemen.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Indian missions across the Gulf region were in constant contact with shipping and maritime authorities as well as other agencies.
“Our missions all across the Gulf region are in constant contact with shipping, as also with maritime authorities in those countries and other authorities,” Jaiswal said during the ministry's bi-weekly briefing in New Delhi.
He added that Indian missions were operating 24/7 helplines to assist affected seafarers and their families.
The government had earlier condemned the attack on the Indian-flagged mechanised sailing vessel MSV Faize Noore Oliya, which was targeted earlier in the week.
All 14 crew members aboard the vessel, including 13 Indian nationals, were rescued by the Yemeni Coast Guard and brought safely to the Port of Mokha.
Sonowal had described the incident as an “unprovoked attack” and said the safety of Indian citizens remained the government's “supreme priority”.
The latest measures come as India continues to monitor the security situation in West Asian waters and coordinate with maritime authorities to safeguard Indian seafarers and vessels operating in the region.
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