4,500 Indian seafarers in Gulf under watch: MEA

India is actively monitoring the welfare of more than 4,500 seafarers operating on commercial vessels in the Persian Gulf, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) revealed on Tuesday. This includes 163 Indian seafarers aboard 12 vessels currently traversing the region.

MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal informed the media that, apart from the six India-flagged cargo ships in the Persian Gulf, there are also six foreign-flagged vessels en route to India. In total, 12 ships are presently in the area, with 4,500 Indian seafarers on board.

The Ministry of Shipping, working alongside Indian embassies and local partners, is conducting constant surveillance on these vessels to ensure the crews' safety. Jaiswal reiterated New Delhi's commitment to the well-being of its maritime workforce abroad.

The announcement follows a speech by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar at the 81st United Nations General Assembly, where he denounced violence against merchant ships and stressed that Indian lives have been lost at sea due to ongoing conflicts. Jaishankar also highlighted recent attacks on commercial vessels in the Gulf, Red Sea, and Black Sea, which have claimed the lives of seafarers from various nations.

In response, Jaishankar announced India's participation in an international coalition alongside Liberia and 23 other countries to bolster global support for maritime safety and security. The minister emphasized the importance of upholding international law and called for restraint and de-escalation in the Gulf region to protect civilian crews and maintain global trade.