India has said that 11 of its ships have successfully exited the Strait of Hormuz, while 13 vessels are still operating in the Persian Gulf region, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed on Thursday.
Addressing a media briefing, MEA official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India is in continuous touch with Iranian authorities to ensure the safe movement of the remaining vessels back to Indian waters.
He added that diplomatic discussions with Iran have helped in facilitating the movement of Indian ships through the region amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
On reports suggesting that ships, including Iranian vessels, may be using alternate sea routes through territorial waters to bypass restrictions, Jaiswal said no special permission is required for movement in international waters. However, he clarified that entry into Indian territorial waters is a technical matter handled by shipping and maritime authorities.
Separately, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways confirmed that all Indian seafarers in the region are safe and no Indian-flagged vessel has been involved in any incident in the past 48 hours.
Officials also stated that over 2,999 Indian seafarers have been safely repatriated so far, including 23 in the last two days from the Gulf region.
The ministry further said it continues to coordinate closely with the MEA, Indian missions abroad, and maritime stakeholders to ensure the safety of seafarers and smooth maritime operations.
Authorities reiterated that monitoring and communication efforts are ongoing to ensure the remaining Indian vessels safely pass through the Strait of Hormuz and reach their destinations.