Special attention is being paid to the welfare of Indian sailors as the conflict in the Gulf region enters its second month, India said on Monday.
A senior Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official stressed that the safety, security and well-being of the Indian community in the region remains the top priority and added that the MEA continues to closely monitor the evolving situation in the region.
Indian missions continue to provide support and assistance to Indian crew members on board ships across the region, Asim Mahajan, Joint Secretary (Gulf) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at an inter-ministerial press conference.
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“Our missions are in constant contact with Indian crew members on board ships across the region to provide support including providing consular assistance, facilitating communication with their families in India and facilitating requests to return to India.”
With exam sessions hampered by the conflict, Mahajan stressed how the welfare of Indian students in the Gulf countries is being given high priority and that the government is doing its best to ensure that the students’ academic year is not affected.
“Our delegations are in regular touch and actively coordinating with the local authorities, Indian schools in the district, concerned boards and the National Testing Agency. CBSE has already informed the assessment plan to announce the results of classes 10 and 12 in the district. Academic concerns, especially those related to CBSE, ICSE, Kerala Boards, JEE and NEET exams, are being addressed through regular communication with parents and students.”
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Regarding the safety, security and well-being of the large Indian community in the region, he said that the special control room designated to assist Indian citizens and their families is still working and that Indian missions and centers are working around the clock to provide assistance.
Also at the press conference, a senior official from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways on Monday said that all Indian sailors and ships operating in the Persian Gulf region remain safe and no incident has been reported in the last 24 hours.
Special Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Rajesh Kumar Sinha, said that all Indian vessels and their crews are currently under close monitoring, and 8 sailors have returned safely to India in the last 24 hours.
He added that ports across the states are operating smoothly without congestion. “Two LPG tankers with a capacity of 94,000 metric tons are expected to dock at the ports of Mumbai and New Mangalore on March 31 and April 1,” he informed.
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He later added that India continues to ensure uninterrupted maritime operation and power supply.
We maintain continuous coordination with the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Ministry of External Affairs, Indian missions abroad, and other stakeholders in the maritime sector.”
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