The Centre on Monday informed that at least 15 Indian-flagged vessels remain stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, with efforts underway to ensure their safe return. Addressing an inter-ministerial briefing on recent developments in West Asia, Mukesh Mangal, Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, stated that the government is closely coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs to facilitate the vessels’ return.
“We are making all necessary arrangements so that, as soon as conditions become favourable, these ships can safely sail back to Indian ports,” he said.
Mangal further noted that the Indian-flagged LPG vessel Jag Vikram successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz on April 11. Carrying approximately 20,400 metric tonnes of LPG and a crew of 24 seafarers, the vessel is expected to arrive at Kandla on April 14.
The Ministry is actively monitoring the evolving situation in the Persian Gulf. “At present, all Indian seafarers in the region are safe. No incident involving Indian-flagged vessels has been reported in the past 24 hours,” he added. He also highlighted that the Directorate General of Shipping has facilitated the safe repatriation of over 2,177 Indian seafarers so far, including 93 in the last 24 hours from various locations across the Gulf region.
Meanwhile, India has taken a significant step toward strengthening its electric mobility ecosystem. In a move aimed at accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and boosting domestic manufacturing, the government has announced extensions and relaxations under key policy frameworks. These measures are designed to address market demands and mitigate the impact of global supply chain disruptions.
