The situation involving the Bhartiya crew members of the cargo vessel seized by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is showing signs of progress towards their return home.
According to Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for Bharat’s external affairs ministry, 16 out of the 17 Indian crew members are expected to come back to Bharat soon. This development comes after the completion of certain contractual obligations.
The cargo vessel in question, MSC Aries, was apprehended by a special forces unit of the IRGC in the Strait of Hormuz on April 13. Among the 25-member crew, Ann Tessa Joseph, the only woman from Bharat, had already returned home on April 18. However, concerns lingered regarding the remaining crew members’ status.
Responding to inquiries during a routine media briefing, Jaiswal assured that the Bharatiya authorities had secured consular access to the crew members. He reported that the crew members are in good health, in regular contact with their families, and not facing any difficulties on the ship.
Jaiswal also addressed the complexities surrounding the crew’s return, citing contractual obligations that need to be fulfilled. The timing of their return hinges on the completion of these obligations.
The Bharatiya government has been actively engaged in facilitating the repatriation of all Bharatiya crew members aboard the Portuguese-flagged cargo vessel, which is linked to London-based Zodiac Maritime, part of Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer’s Zodiac Group.
Iranian ambassador Iraj Elahi clarified that the crew members are not detained but are under the command of the ship’s captain. He affirmed their freedom to return to Bharat whenever they wish.
Efforts are underway to navigate the logistical and contractual hurdles to ensure the safe return of the remaining Bharatiya crew members, marking a crucial step forward in resolving the maritime incident in the Strait of Hormuz.
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