New Delhi: The government on Monday said that 16 Indian-flagged vessels, carrying a total of 433 Indian seafarers, are currently operating in the western Persian Gulf region, even as authorities continue to closely monitor the evolving situation.
According to an official update, two LPG carriers — Green Sanvi and Green Asha — have safely navigated through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz in the past two days, offering some reassurance amid regional tensions.
The Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping) is maintaining constant coordination with ship owners, recruitment agencies, and Indian missions abroad to ensure the safety of seafarers. So far, it has facilitated the safe return of over 1,599 Indian seafarers, including 120 in the last 24 hours.
On the domestic front, port operations across India remain smooth, with no congestion reported. Maritime boards in states such as Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Puducherry have confirmed normal functioning.
Meanwhile, evacuation efforts from the region are ongoing. The Embassy of India in Tehran has assisted 1,777 Indian nationals in moving out of Iran via Armenia and Azerbaijan for their journey back home. This group includes 895 students and 345 fishermen, with the latter already reaching Chennai on April 4.
In total, 1,545 people crossed into Armenia, while 234 travelled through Azerbaijan. The government has expressed gratitude to Iran, Armenia, and Azerbaijan for facilitating the safe transit of evacuees.
The Ministry of External Affairs said it is closely tracking developments in West Asia, with the safety and welfare of Indians in the region as its top priority.
Since February 28, around 7.3 lakh passengers have travelled from the conflict-affected region to India. In the UAE, airlines are operating limited additional flights based on safety assessments, with around 90 flights expected to operate to India on Monday. Regular flights are also continuing from Saudi Arabia and Oman.
With inputs from IANS