India Urges Iran to Release 40 Indian Seafarers Detained on Seized Ships

India has requested Iran to release around 40 Indian seafarers who were detained from four different merchant ships seized by Iran over the past eight months on various charges. Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal made this request during a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in Tehran on Monday. These seafarers were part of ships seized by Iran, such as Steven, Global Cherylyn, Margol, and MSC Aries.

During the meeting, Sonowal urged Abdollahian to release all Indian seafarers in Iranian custody. Abdollahian expressed positivity towards the release but cited legal procedures that needed to be followed. The Indian seafarers were detained by Iran for charges such as smuggling and fuel smuggling. Consular access has been given to some crews, while others remain in detention pending legal approvals.

India has been actively engaging with Iranian authorities for the release of Indian crew members from the detained ships. The Indian Embassy in Tehran is in regular contact with the Iranian authorities to ensure consular access and the timely release of the remaining seafarers. The issue has been raised at diplomatic levels, with efforts to expedite the release of the Indian seafarers from the seized ships.

Source .