Amid ongoing conflict in West Asia and growing concerns about maritime security, Rajesh Kumar Sinha, special secretary in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, said on Monday that all 22 Indian vessels and their 600 sailors remain safe in the region, with no incidents reported at sea.
Briefing the Press Information Bureau (PIB), Sinha said that the Directorate General of Shipping is working round the clock and maintaining close coordination with ship owners, RPSL agencies and Indian missions abroad to ensure the welfare of people on board these vessels.
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Repatriations are underway
The official added that efforts to bring the sailors back home had now accelerated, adding that 13 repatriations had been carried out in the last 24 hours alone. In 48 hours, the number of successful repatriations rose to 34, underscoring a sustained and coordinated push to bring back Indian nationals safely.
Sinha added that in the last 24 hours, the 24*7 communication center of the Directorate General of Shipping received and responded to 60 phone calls and 129 emails.
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Commenting on the congestion related to cargo movement, Sinha noted that no congestion was reported at any of the ports. Over the past two days, authorities have reviewed the congestion problem at all ports, including major and minor ports.
Safety of seafarers, safety of ports essential: Sarbananda Sonowal
On March 22, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said that the safety of seafarers and the safety of vessels are crucial for India as it seeks to transit these vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, the Assam Tribune reported. His remarks came weeks after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) closed the strait, a key waterway carrying a fifth of the world’s oil, after the US and Israel launched strikes against the Islamic Republic.
In an interview, Sonowal admitted that the situation in West Asia is unstable and added that they cannot risk the safety of sailors. His remarks came after media reports indicated that at least 22 Indian vessels had been hit in the Strait of Hormuz amid the conflict.
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Will the US-Israel war against Iran end?
The development comes as the conflict in West Asia enters its fourth week. There were no signs of easing until March 22, and there was the possibility of further escalation after US President Donald Trump threatened to “wipe out” Tehran’s power plants if the Strait of Hormuz was not reopened. But Trump announced a five-day pause in fighting in Iran earlier today, citing “very good and productive talks.”
Prime Minister Modi addressed Parliament on the conflict in West Asia
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke in parliament today about the ongoing conflict in West Asia. The speech came a day after he chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) to review the situation, news agency PTI reported. During his address, Prime Minister Modi said that the challenging global situation arising from the ongoing conflict is expected to continue for a longer period and urged the country to remain vigilant and united, similar to the situation during the Covid-19 crisis.
He stressed the need for patience, discipline and vigilance, while warning against attempts to exploit the situation through misinformation, hoarding or profiteering. Addressing the House, he urged the state governments to maintain strict vigilance and act vigorously against such practices.
