New Delhi [India], April 6 (ANI): The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday said that India has facilitated the return of 1,777 Indian nationals from Iran amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia, which is currently in its second month. It noted that the facilitation was made possible by support from the authorities of Iran, Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Speaking during an inter-ministerial briefing on recent developments in the region, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that the Indian Embassy in Tehran has been actively coordinating evacuation efforts.”Our embassy in Tehran has so far facilitated the movement of 1,777 Indian nationals in Iran to Armenia and Azerbaijan. From there, they have been flying back to India,” he said. He added that the total includes 895 Indian students and 345 Indian fishermen who were employed by various companies in Iran. The fishermen were evacuated via Armenia and flew back to India on April 4, landing in Chennai.
Following their arrival, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar expressed gratitude towards Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan for facilitating the evacuation of Indian fishermen from Iran amid the conflict.”Thank FM Ararat Mirzoyan and the Government of Armenia for facilitating the evacuation of Indian fishermen today from Iran, through Armenia to India,” Jaishankar wrote in a post on X.
The MEA spokesperson further noted that, in addition to Indian nationals, the embassy also assisted two foreign nationals–one from Bangladesh and one from Sri Lanka–in their evacuation. Providing a breakdown, Jaiswal said that 1,545 Indian nationals crossed into Armenia, while 234 were moved to Azerbaijan as part of the evacuation process.
“The embassy, along with the Indian nationals, has also facilitated the movement of two foreign nationals–one from Bangladesh and one from Sri Lanka. Of the total, 1,545 Indian nationals crossed over from Armenia and 234 to Azerbaijan,” the MEA spokespersons said.Speaking on the number of Indian nationals who were killed in the conflict, Jaiswal said that eight people have died during the ongoing conflict, while one individual remains missing.He stated that the mortal remains of seven of those individuals were brought back to India, while the one is still pending due to some technicalities.
In Oman”A total of eight people have died during the conflict in West Asia, and one person is still missing. Seven of their mortal remains were brought back to India, while one is still pending due to some technicalities. Our embassy in Oman is making every effort to bring the remaining mortal remains back to India,” he added. The conflict in West Asia began following US-Israeli joint military strikes on Iran on February 28 that assassinated Iran’s 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.Tehran, in retaliation, targeted Israel and US assets in several Gulf countries, causing disruption in the waterways and affecting international energy markets and global economic stability. (ANI)
Two vessels carrying over 60,000 MT of LPG to reach India this week: Union Shipping Ministry
The Union Ports, Shipping and Waterways Ministry on Monday stated that two Indian-flagged vessels carrying over 60,000 metric tonnes of LPG have transited through the Strait of Hormuz in recent days and are expected to reach India this week amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia.
Speaking during an inter-ministerial briefing here, Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Mukesh Mangal, said the vessels – Green Sadhvi and Green Asha – are scheduled to arrive on April 7 and April 9, respectively, though timelines may change. He noted that the vessels are part of a broader fleet of 16 Indian-flagged ships currently operating in the Western Persian Gulf region.
Mangal informed that over the past two days, Green Sangvi and Green Asha have safely transited through the Strait of Hormuz, with Green Sangvi carrying around 46,000 metric tonnes of LPG with 25 Indian seafarers onboard, while Green Asha is carrying about 15,000 metric tonnes with 26 seafarers onboard.”Over the past two days, two Indian-flagged vessels – named Green Sangvi and Green Asha – which are carrying LPG cargo, have safely transited the Strait of Hormuz.
The Green Sangvi is carrying approximately 46,000 metric tonnes of LPG cargo and has 25 Indian seafarers on board, while the Green Asha is carrying 15,000 metric tonnes of LPG cargo and has 26 seafarers. Currently, there are 16 Indian-flagged vessels present in the Western Persian Gulf region, with a total of 433 Indian seafarers on board,” the ADDL. Secretary said.”Green Sadhvi is expected to arrive by April 7, and the Green Asha by April 9,” he added.
Providing details on the 16 Indian-flagged vessels in the region, Mangal said that among them, one vessel is loaded with LNG, while there are two LPG vessels–one empty and one fully loaded.He added that there are six crude oil vessels, of which five are loaded, and one is empty, along with three container vessels, one dredger, one chemical tanker, and two bulk cargo vessels.Mangal further stated that the Ministry is closely monitoring shipping movements, port operations, and the safety of Indian nationals in the region, while ensuring continuity of maritime trade.”The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is continuously monitoring shipping movements, port operations, and the safety of Indian citizens. The Ministry is ensuring the continuity of maritime trade. All Indian citizens in this region remain safe. In the last 24 hours, no incidents involving Indian-flagged vessels have been reported,” he noted.
The additional secretary further stated that a total of 1,599 Indian seafarers were safely repatriated amid the conflict across the Gulf region, with 180 brought back in the last 24 hours.”The DG Shipping has so far facilitated the safe repatriation of over 1,599 Indian seafarers, including 180 brought back in the last 24 hours from various locations across the Gulf region,” Mangal said. He also confirmed that operations at all ports across India remain normal, with no reports of congestion, with State Maritime Boards across Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Puducherry reporting smooth functioning. (ANI)
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