Are Indian seafarers safe in the Persian Gulf? Government issues update

India has reassured that all its seafarers stationed in the Persian Gulf and the wider West Asia region are safe, even as geopolitical tensions continue to simmer. The government has also emphasised that maritime operations remain unaffected, reflecting stability in shipping and port activity despite the volatile backdrop.

What has the government said about the safety of Indian seafarers?

According to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, there have been no incidents involving Indian vessels or personnel in the region. Providing an update during an inter-ministerial briefing, Additional Secretary Mukesh Mangal said, “All Indian seafarers in the region are safe, and no incident involving Indian Indian-flagged vessel has been reported in past 24 hours... Post operations are normal across the country, with no congestion recorded.”

This assurance comes at a time when concerns have been rising due to tensions in the Persian Gulf, particularly linked to the ongoing strain between the United States and Iran.

How is India monitoring the situation on the ground?

The government has set up a robust monitoring and response system through the Directorate General of Shipping. Since its activation, the control room has handled 6,727 calls and over 13,900 emails, including 147 calls and 276 emails in just the past 24 hours.

These figures indicate both the scale of outreach efforts and the level of concern among stakeholders, including seafarers and their families.

What steps have been taken to bring Indian seafarers back home?

India has already repatriated over 2,400 seafarers from the region, including 30 in the last 24 hours alone. This reflects ongoing efforts to ensure that those wishing to return are able to do so safely.

The ministry reiterated its coordinated approach, stating, “Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways in coordination with Ministry of External Affairs, Indian Missions, and maritime stakeholders, continues to ensure seafarer welfare and uninterrupted maritime operations.”

How extensive are India’s evacuation and assistance efforts in West Asia?

The response goes beyond seafarers. The government has facilitated the movement of a massive 10,38,000 Indian nationals since February through evacuations and regulated travel.

Joint Secretary (Gulf) Aseem Mahajan highlighted the scale and coordination involved, saying, “The dedicated mission control rooms set up to coordinate evacuation and aviation assistance operations are actively working in close coordination with state and Union Territory control rooms, maintaining continuous communication with local governments and other stakeholders to ensure timely support, safety, and dissemination of updated advisories.”

These operations rely on a “round-the-clock” control infrastructure that connects Indian missions, airlines, and government agencies.

How are control rooms and coordination mechanisms functioning?

The government has stressed that its emergency systems remain fully active. Mahajan noted that special control rooms are “operational round the clock and are regularly engaging with Indian missions, airlines, and relevant authorities to facilitate seamless communication and coordination on priority.”

This constant engagement is crucial as airspace restrictions in parts of West Asia continue to evolve, requiring flexibility in evacuation and travel arrangements.

What is the current focus of India’s efforts?

The primary objective remains ensuring the safety of Indian nationals abroad while maintaining steady transport links. Authorities are also assisting with regulated flight operations as conditions gradually improve in certain areas.

Overall, the situation for Indian seafarers and nationals appears stable for now, backed by large-scale coordination and continuous monitoring by the government.

(With inputs from ANI)