When will the Indians aboard the ship seized by Iran return? Center says…

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The Ministry of External Affairs said that the Indian Mission in Tehran is in touch with the remaining 16 crew members.

New Delhi:

In the case of the Indian crew aboard the Israeli-belonging cargo ship seized by Iran, the External Affairs Ministry on Thursday said one of the 17 Indian crew members has returned safely to India and the others are safe, adding that they have received a Bar will be released. Their contractual obligations have been fulfilled.

“One of the girls who was there has returned. We had asked for consular access for these 16 people and we got it and our officials met them. They are in good health and there is no problem of any kind on the ship. We are waiting for their return.” Regarding this, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at a weekly press briefing on Thursday, “There are some technical and contractual obligations. Once they are completed, it will decide their return.”

This comes as Iranian envoy to India Iraj Elahi has said that the Indian nationals, the crew members of MSC Aries, have not been detained and are free to go.

He said a female cadet named Ann Tessa Joseph landed at the Cochin International Airport, one of the 17 Indians on board the container ship MSC Aries.

Responding to ANI, Envoy Elahi said, “They are all free to go. They have not been detained. They can return to India. They are under the command of the captain.”

The Indian Deck Cadet landed at Cochin International Airport in the afternoon and was received by the Regional Passport Officer, Cochin.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also said that the Indian Mission in Tehran is in touch with the remaining 16 Indian crew members of the container ship.

It added, “The crew members are in good health and are in touch with their family members in India. The Indian mission is also in touch with Iranian authorities to ensure the well-being of the remaining crew members of MSC Aries ” Earlier, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had talked to his Iranian counterpart Foreign Minister Amir Abdullahian on this matter.

Praising the efforts of the Indian Embassy in Iran, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said, “#Modi’s guarantee always works.” Abroad,” Jaishankar posted on Twitter.

Notably, the cadet was released after External Affairs Minister Jaishankar spoke to his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on Saturday in the wake of Iran’s direct attack on Israel with missiles and drones, which has increased tensions in West Asia .

The two leaders discussed the current situation in West Asia and stressed that it is important to exercise restraint and return to diplomacy.

“Spoke to Iranian Foreign Minister @Amirabdolahian this evening. Discussed the release of 17 Indian crew members of MSC Aries. Discussed the current situation in the region. Emphasized the importance of avoiding tension, exercising restraint, and returning to diplomacy.” Agreed to stay in touch,” Jaishankar posted from his official X handle.

On April 13, the cargo ship was seized by Iran, carrying 17 Indian nationals. The Times of Israel, citing an Iranian news agency, reported that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps navy had seized the container ship near the Strait of Hormuz.

According to The Times of Israel, the MSC Aries was last seen on April 12 heading towards the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Dubai.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)