New Delhi, September 29, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday confirmed that 163 Indian seafarers are currently aboard 12 commercial vessels in the Persian Gulf, west of the Strait of Hormuz, as tensions and security concerns continue to affect maritime navigation in the region.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during a bi-weekly media briefing in New Delhi that six of the vessels are Indian-flagged commercial ships, while the other six are foreign-flagged vessels carrying cargo to India.
“At this point in time, we have six India-flag commercial vessels in the Persian Gulf, west of the Strait of Hormuz. 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.
He added that more than 4,500 Indian seafarers are serving aboard various commercial vessels operating in the wider region. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is monitoring the movement of these ships and the well-being of the seafarers, coordinating with Indian embassies and other stakeholders wherever necessary.
Jaiswal said the government remained committed to ensuring the safety and welfare of Indian seafarers working abroad.
Since the outbreak of the West Asia conflict earlier this year, India has condemned attacks and acts of violence targeting seafarers and disrupting safe navigation through international waterways, including the Strait of Hormuz. New Delhi has also called for a return to dialogue and diplomacy to promote peace, security and stability in the region.
On September 25, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar highlighted the growing threats to commercial shipping and seafarers while addressing the inaugural meeting of the Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers (GoF on S4) in New York. The initiative was proposed jointly by India and Liberia, which is the world’s largest shipping registry.
Jaishankar referred to recent attacks on commercial vessels in the Gulf and other maritime regions, including incidents that resulted in the deaths and disappearance of Indian crew members.
“Just two days ago, an Antigua and Barbuda flagged bulk carrier MV CAPE DAO was attacked in the Gulf of Oman. An Indian sailor lost his life. Ten days before that, a Panama flagged Oil tanker EL GAIA was struck while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. An Indian crew member went missing after that incident,” he said.
He added that commercial shipping and mariners had faced repeated attacks in the Gulf, the Red Sea and surrounding areas in recent months.
Jaishankar also cited attacks in the Black Sea. He said MV OMORFI was hit in Russian territorial waters on July 18, killing its Indian chief officer, while MV GOLDEN LEO was struck after leaving Odessa the following day, resulting in the deaths of four Indian seafarers.
India urged the international community to address the growing threat to commercial and civilian shipping across the Black Sea, Red Sea and Gulf regions, and to work collectively to deter further attacks.
Highlighting the importance of maritime security to global trade, Jaishankar said international trade worth more than USD 140 billion takes place daily, with oceans supporting over 80 per cent of these activities. He noted that nearly two million seafarers operate the world’s merchant fleets and face risks that include prolonged confinement aboard vessels, delayed crew changes and repatriation, separation from families, psychological distress and lethal attacks.
Jaishankar also referred to a proposal made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the recent BRICS Summit in New Delhi to establish a Seafarers Emergency Support Network. The proposed network would connect maritime authorities and embassies of participating countries to facilitate distress alerts, medical assistance, communication with families and evacuation support when required.
He said India had previously co-organised an Arria-formula meeting at the UN Security Council with Greece and the Philippines in November last year on maritime safety and the protection of seafarers. India had also participated in a high-level open debate on the safety and protection of waterways in the maritime domain in April 2026.
Jaishankar said the growing risks faced by seafarers and commercial shipping had provided the context for India and Liberia to propose the Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers.
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