Randhir Jaiswal, the spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), announced that 11 Indian ships have successfully navigated out of the Strait of Hormuz, while 13 remain in the Persian Gulf. During a press briefing, he addressed inquiries about Iranian vessels potentially using routes through Pakistani and Indian territorial waters to circumvent U.S. blockades. Jaiswal clarified that while no permission is required for ships from other nations to operate in international waters, any entry into Indian waters involves technical considerations that the Ministry of Shipping would need to address.
Jaiswal emphasized the progress made through diplomatic discussions with Iranian authorities, stating that efforts are ongoing to facilitate the safe passage of the remaining Indian ships. He noted that the MEA is in continuous contact with Iranian officials to ensure that all vessels reach their destinations in India.
In a related update, Opesh Kumar Sharma, Director of Shipping at the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, confirmed that all Indian seafarers in the region are safe, with no incidents involving Indian-flagged vessels reported in the last 48 hours. He highlighted the successful repatriation of over 2,999 seafarers, including 23 in the past two days, reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to seafarer welfare and maritime operations.
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