The Ministry of Ports Shipping and Waterways on Tuesday stated that all Indian seafarers in the Gulf region are safe, with no incidents reported involving Indian-flagged vessels in the past 24 hours, reported the IANS.
The statement comes amid ongoing tensions in West Asia.
The Directorate General of Shipping has so far facilitated the safe return of more than 2,262 Indian seafarers from various locations across the Gulf region.
Of these, 85 seafarers were repatriated in the last 24 hours alone, reflecting continued evacuation and support efforts.
High volume of assistance requests
Since its activation, the DG Shipping Control Room has handled a large number of distress queries.
The officials said that over 6,292 phone calls and more than 13,228 emails were handled, as per the IANS.
In the past 24 hours, it received 219 calls and 361 emails, showing ongoing demand for assistance, they said.
Port operations running normally
The officials said that the port operations across India remain unaffected, with no reports of congestion or disruption, the news agency reported.
The government said it is working to ensure uninterrupted maritime activity despite regional uncertainties.
The ministry is closely coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian missions abroad and maritime stakeholders to safeguard the welfare of Indian nationals.
Indian embassies and posts in the region are maintaining constant contact with the community and issuing safety advisories where required.
Diplomatic outreach intensifies
External Affairs Minister (MEA) S Jaishankar has held discussions with counterparts from several countries, including Kuwait and Israel, focusing on the regional situation and the safety of Indians, according to the IANS.
He also spoke with officials from Singapore and Australia regarding developments linked to the West Asia situation.
The Ministry is also in regular contact with state governments and Union Territories for better sharing of information and coordination. Efforts remain focused on ensuring the safety, security and welfare of the Indian community in the region, the statement added. Indian Missions and Posts continue to operate round-the-clock helplines and are proactively assisting Indian nationals. They remain in close contact with the local governments, officials said.
(with IANS inputs)