India Repatriates 2,929 Seafarers as Gulf Tensions Persist
Tensions remain high in the Gulf region as the United States and Iran have yet to reach an agreement to end the conflict
New Delhi: India has repatriated a total of 2,929 seafarers so far, with 29 Indian seafarers brought back in the last 24 hours, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways said on Wednesday.
Addressing an interministerial media briefing on recent developments in West Asia, Additional Secretary Mukesh Mangal assured that all Indian vessels and crew currently in the Persian Gulf are being closely monitored. He confirmed that all seafarers in the region remain safe.
“All Indian seafarers are safe in the region. In the last 24 hours, there has been no report of any incident related to any Indian-flagged vessel,” the official said. He added that the ministry has facilitated the safe repatriation of thousands of Indian seafarers, including 29 in the past day.
Mangal further noted that the Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping) control room has been actively handling queries and support requests. It has received around 8,000 calls and 17,000 emails so far, including 114 calls and 276 emails in the last 24 hours.
Tensions remain high in the Gulf region as the United States and Iran have yet to reach an agreement to end the conflict. However, a temporary ceasefire continues to hold beyond the April 21 deadline, allowing both sides more time to negotiate.
US President Donald Trump has expressed dissatisfaction with Tehran’s recent diplomatic moves, stating that negotiations will not progress unless the nuclear issue is addressed directly. He also claimed Iran is in a “state of collapse” and is seeking to reopen the Strait of Hormuz quickly.
Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates has announced its decision to exit OPEC and OPEC+, citing national interests. The move comes amid a global energy shock triggered by the ongoing US-Israel conflict with Iran, which has unsettled the global economy.
