As geopolitical tensions in West Asia continue to evolve, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways on Wednesday assured that all Indian seafarers in the region remain safe, with no incidents involving Indian-flagged vessels reported over the past 48 hours.
Speaking at a joint inter-ministerial briefing, Additional Secretary Mukesh Mangal confirmed that Indian vessels and crew operating in the Persian Gulf are under close and continuous monitoring. “All seafarers in the Persian Gulf remain safe,” he said.
According to official data, 18 Indian vessels with approximately 485 seafarers are currently operating in the region. Meanwhile, more than 964 seafarers have been successfully repatriated so far. Authorities also emphasized that port operations across India remain unaffected, with no congestion reported and all activities running smoothly over the past 24 hours.
Mangal highlighted the responsiveness of maritime communication systems, noting that the Directorate General of Shipping’s 24/7 communication centre handled 70 calls and 245 emails in the last day, all of which were promptly addressed. He added that the government is maintaining close coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian missions abroad, and other key maritime stakeholders.
In parallel developments, a senior government official stated that nearly 5.98 lakh passengers have returned to India amid the evolving security situation in West Asia and the Gulf region.
Addressing a recent incident in Dubai, officials confirmed that debris from an aerial interception resulted in minor injuries to multiple individuals, including Indian nationals. Indian authorities are in close contact with those affected and are extending necessary assistance.
Aseem R. Mahajan, Additional Secretary (Gulf) in the Ministry of External Affairs, noted that the flight situation is steadily improving, with approximately 90 flights expected to operate from the UAE to India on Thursday.
The government reiterated its commitment to ensuring stability across critical sectors, with focused efforts on maintaining uninterrupted energy supplies, safeguarding maritime operations, and supporting Indian nationals abroad.
The ongoing crisis in West Asia dates back to February 28, following US-Israel strikes on Iran and subsequent retaliatory actions, which have heightened security concerns across the region.
