New Delhi [India], September 29 (ANI): India is closely monitoring the safety and well-being of over 4,500 Indian seafarers currently operating on commercial vessels across the Persian Gulf, including 163 seafarers on board 12 active cargo ships, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Tuesday.

Addressing the media, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal detailed the current footprint of Indian maritime workers in the region, noting that six India-flagged commercial vessels and six foreign-flagged cargo ships bound for India are presently navigating the Persian Gulf waters.

'At this point, we have six India-flagged commercial vessels in the Persian Gulf. We also have six foreign-flagged vessels which are carrying cargo to India. So 12 ships are there. On these ships, we have around 163 Indian seafarers who are on board,' Jaiswal said. 'Apart from this, we also have over 4,500 Indian seafarers who are on board various commercial vessels which are operating in the area.'

Jaiswal emphasised that the Ministry of Shipping, in tandem with Indian diplomatic missions and local stakeholders, is maintaining round-the-clock surveillance over the transit of these vessels to safeguard the crews.

'Our Ministry of Shipping continues to monitor the movement of these ships and is looking at the well-being of all these seafarers, and as and when required, through our embassies and other stakeholders, they do the needful for their well-being and welfare,' he stated, reaffirming New Delhi's stance: 'On our side, we remain committed to the safety and well-being of our seafaring community abroad.'

The update from the MEA comes against the backdrop of heightened security risks across global maritime corridors, including the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea, and the Black Sea, where international merchant shipping has faced recurring attacks.

The issue was brought to the global centre stage on Saturday by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar during his address at the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Jaishankar strongly condemned the violence against commercial vessels, confirming that Indian lives have been lost at sea amid the ongoing conflict.

'New challenges in the maritime domain have added to longstanding ones on land. There have been attacks on commercial shipping and seafarers in the Gulf, and from the Red Sea to the Black Sea. Indian seafarers have lost their lives, as have others from other nations. This is completely unacceptable,' Jaishankar told the UN assembly.

To combat the growing threat, Jaishankar announced that India has joined Liberia and 23 partner nations in an international coalition to mobilise global public opinion and defend commercial shipping routes.

'We must ensure that the safety and security of shipping and seafarers is never compromised. Scrupulously observing international law is an integral element of that endeavour,' Jaishankar urged, calling for immediate restraint and de-escalation in the Gulf region to protect civilian crews and ensure uninterrupted energy supplies and global trade. (ANI)