India Repatriates Over 2,764 Seafarers From Gulf As 12.96 Lakh Passengers Return From West Asia

India has repatriated more than 2,764 seafarers from the Gulf region while around 12.96 lakh passengers have returned from West Asia since February 28.

The Centre said all Indian seafarers in the region are safe and no incident involving Indian-flagged vessels was reported in the past 24 hours.

Of the total seafarers repatriated, 24 returned in the last 24 hours from different locations across the Gulf.

The Ministry of External Affairs said it remains focused on the safety and welfare of Indians in West Asia and is monitoring developments closely.

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has also put in place measures to safeguard Indian vessels and seafarers operating in the region.

According to the government, nearly 12,96,000 passengers have travelled from West Asia to India since February 28, up from 12.38 lakh reported earlier this week.

Indian nationals have been advised to avoid travel to Iran, while those already there have been urged to leave through land borders with support from the Indian Embassy in Tehran.

The embassy has so far facilitated the movement of 2,445 Indian nationals out of Iran through land border routes.

Iran’s airspace remains partially open for cargo and chartered flights. Israeli airspace is also open, with limited flight services operating to destinations in the region that can be used for onward travel to India.

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways said it continues to coordinate with the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian missions and maritime stakeholders to ensure seafarer welfare and uninterrupted shipping operations.

The Directorate General of Shipping’s control room has handled 7,755 calls and more than 16,518 emails since it was activated. In the past 24 hours alone, it received 57 calls and 192 emails.

Officials said DG Shipping has facilitated the safe return of more than 2,764 Indian seafarers so far, including 24 in the last day.

On Friday, the government had said 2,729 seafarers had been repatriated, including 49 in the previous 24 hours.

The government had also said all Indian seafarers in the Persian Gulf were safe and maritime operations remained normal.

Ports across India were functioning without congestion, while authorities continued working with Indian missions and maritime stakeholders to support crews and maintain shipping operations.

At that stage, the DG Shipping control room had handled 7,553 calls and more than 16,033 emails, including 150 calls and 394 emails in 24 hours.

The Ministry of External Affairs had said Indian missions in the region were operating round-the-clock helplines, issuing advisories and coordinating with local authorities, community groups and companies to assist Indian nationals, including seafarers.

The government also said flight connectivity from the region was improving. Limited commercial flights were operating from the UAE, with around 110 services expected to India.

Flights continued from Saudi Arabia and Oman, while Qatar Airways was operating as airspace remained partially open.

Kuwait has reopened its airspace with limited operations expected, while non-scheduled flights from Dammam continue.

Bahrain’s airspace is open with Gulf Air operating flights to India, while Iraq is allowing limited services for onward travel.

Earlier figures showed 2,432 Indians, including 1,096 students and 657 fishermen, had been moved out of Iran through Armenia and Azerbaijan. That number has now risen to 2,445.

The government said coordination across ministries remains ongoing as it continues efforts to support Indian nationals and seafarers in the region.

References: thestatesman, ddnews