The safety and security of Indian seafarers and tankers were raised during a telephone conversation between National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei on October 12, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Wednesday, amid heightened regional tensions and attacks on commercial vessels.
External affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, responding to media queries, said the two officials discussed bilateral issues, the regional situation and international developments during their conversation.
They discussed bilateral issues. They also discussed the regional situation and international developments. Search-and-rescue operations were underway in coordination with the local Coast Guard and relevant authorities.
“The National Security Adviser spoke to his Iranian counterpart, His Excellency Dr Mohsen Rezaei, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, on 12 October. On October 11, the Nicaragua-flagged tanker MT Petro Dolphin, carrying 11 Indian seafarers, was subjected to a drone attack at Sohar Anchorage. In another incident on October 11, the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker MT Valthera was struck by an unidentified projectile in the Strait of Hormuz, triggering a fire onboard. Sonowal said all 11 Indian seafarers aboard the vessel were safe.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, responding to media queries, said the two officials discussed bilateral issues, the regional situation and international developments during their conversation. And during the meeting, the safety and security of Indian seafarers and the security of Indian tankers were also raised,” Jaiswal said. Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said nine crew members had been rescued safely, while two Indian nationals remained missing.
