New Delhi [India], August 21 (ANI): The Ministry of External Affairs said on Friday that it is closely monitoring incidents involving Indian sailors in high-risk maritime zones, including the Strait of Hormuz and the coasts of Yemen and Somalia.
During a media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressed growing safety concerns regarding Indian mariners operating in volatile waters, reiterating New Delhi's commitment to prioritising the welfare of its seafaring community.
Responding to questions regarding a video released by the Forward Seamen's Union of India (FSUI) from an incident dated April 22 on Thursday, which claims Indian sailors were being harassed by forces identified as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy, Jaiswal affirmed that safety issues are routinely raised with relevant international authorities.
"As we have said time and again, the welfare and safety of our seafaring community is a matter which we take very seriously and we attach very high priority to this subject," Jaiswal said. "Whenever there's an issue with our seafarer community, with our seamen, we take it up with the relevant authorities. In this particular case, let me come back to you as to what has been the progress."
Jaiswal also addressed reports regarding two foreign-flagged commercial ships recently seized by armed pirates in the Gulf of Aden and off the Somali coast, confirming that 22 Indian nationals are among the captive crew.
"There are two ships. Both of these ships are foreign-flagged--meaning they fly the flag of another country. There are 22 Indian citizens/sailors on them: 16 in one and 6 in the other," Jaiswal stated.
Assuring that all Indian seafarers are currently unharmed, the spokesperson added, "What we have learned so far is that those 22 citizens, our sailors, are safe. We are in touch with the relevant officials regarding this matter so that we can ensure the safety and well-being of our people. I will provide more specific information as it becomes available."
The MEA's response comes after the Forward Seamen's Union of India (FSUI) released footage documenting an attack by Iranian naval forces on a commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, using the incident to demand direct naval escort and physical protection for mariners navigating high-risk conflict zones.
The footage, captured on April 22, 2026, depicts a Panama-flagged vessel carrying 22 crew members, 21 of whom are Indian nationals, being surrounded by small armed craft. Through the video, FSUI claimed that the small boats encircling the merchant vessel belonged to the IRGC, that a Rocket-Propelled Grenade (RPG) was used, and that crew members took shelter in interior corridors to survive the assault.
"On 22 April, in the Strait of Hormuz, a vessel carrying 22 crew members, of whom 21 were Indian, faced a deeply distressing situation. These were not pirates. They were naval forces of the IRGC. Videos show several small boats surrounding the vessel, the intensity of the confrontation, an RPG being fired, and the seafarers taking cover in the alleyways simply to protect their lives," FSUI wrote in a post on X.
"This is the reality, beyond explanations. This kind of fear and danger continues. Advisories and guidelines alone cannot ensure safety. Innocent seafarers need the assured presence of naval forces to truly protect them," it added.
On 22 April, in the Strait of Hormuz, a vessel carrying 22 crew members, of whom 21 were Indian, faced a deeply distressing situation.
These were not pirates.
They were naval forces of the IRGC.
Videos show several small boats surrounding the vessel, the intensity of the… pic.twitter.com/5UgxtZETSd
This comes amid heightened security risks for commercial shipping in the Persian Gulf and the Horn of Africa, with Indian authorities actively engaging diplomatic and maritime channels to safeguard citizen safety. (ANI)
