New Delhi, July 28: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Tuesday that six Indian ships are currently operating west of the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz, with 125 Indian sailors aboard. Additionally, 41 Indian sailors are deployed on foreign vessels in the same region.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated during a weekly media briefing, “There are six Indian ships present in the Gulf of Oman, with 125 Indian sailors on board. Furthermore, 41 Indian sailors are working on foreign vessels operating in this area.”
He emphasized that the Ministry of Shipping is closely monitoring the safety and welfare of Indian ships and sailors. The Indian embassy in the region is also in constant contact with the relevant ministries to provide all possible assistance to Indian sailors if needed.
It is noteworthy that on July 24, an LPG tanker named ‘Disha,’ flagged under Mozambique, was attacked in Iranian territorial waters. There were 28 Indian crew members on board this vessel.
The Indian embassy in Iran confirmed that all 28 Indian sailors are safe. The embassy stated that it is in touch with the relevant authorities and is continuously monitoring the situation.
Previously, the Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) had instructed ship owners, management companies, and Recruitment and Placement Service License (RPSL) companies to avoid deploying Indian sailors on vessels passing through Hormuz until further notice.
The maritime regulator mentioned on the social media platform X that this step was taken to ensure the safety, security, and welfare of Indian sailors, given the ongoing attacks on commercial vessels in the conflict-affected area.
Hormuz is one of the busiest maritime routes in the world, through which a significant portion of global oil supply passes. In light of the increasing security risks in the region, the Indian government is continuously monitoring the situation.
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