Government on Saturday said that the Indian ships sailing in the Gulf region were all safe and sound and that it has successfully facilitated the safe return of more than 2,922 Indian seafarers from different locations.
This includes the repatriation of 30 seafarers in the last 24 hours, as part of ongoing coordinated evacuation and welfare efforts, as reported by IANS.
Maritime coordination and monitoring efforts
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is working closely with the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian embassies, and maritime stakeholders to ensure uninterrupted maritime operations and safeguard Indian seafarers, officials said.
They said that no incidents involving Indian-flagged vessels have been reported recently and all seafarers in the region remain safe, as per the news agency.
The DG Shipping Control Room has handled over 8,335 calls and 17,838 emails since it was activated. In the last 24 hours alone, it received 67 calls and 144 emails, reflecting continuous engagement with maritime personnel and families.
Normal port operations and improving flight connectivity
Port operations across India continue to function normally, with no congestion reported. Meanwhile, air connectivity from the Gulf region is gradually improving, with additional flights being operated to India from several locations.
Airlines in the UAE are operating limited commercial flights based on safety and operational conditions, while regular services continue from Saudi Arabia and Oman. Iraq has partially open airspace with limited operations, while Iran’s airspace remains partially open for cargo and charter flights.
Advisories and evacuation support in West Asia
The Ministry of External Affairs continues to closely monitor developments in the Gulf and West Asia region and is issuing updated advisories for Indian citizens. These include guidance on travel, local regulations, consular services, and welfare support.
Indian missions are actively engaging with Indian communities, associations and companies to address concerns and provide assistance where needed.
Travel advisory: The government has advised Indian nationals to avoid travelling to Iran. Those already present have been urged to leave through land border routes with assistance from the Indian Embassy in Tehran.
So far, the embassy has facilitated the movement of around 2,490 Indian nationals out of Iran through land routes, as part of ongoing evacuation efforts.
(With IANS Inputs)