INDIA SEEKS URGENT ASSISTANCE FOR 39 SAILORS STRANDED IN CHINESE WATERS

The Indian government on Friday called for “urgent, practical and time-bound” assistance to 39 stranded Indian sailors on board two ships in Chinese waters considering the “grave” humanitarian situation developing in the vessels.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said that Indian cargo vessage near Jingtang port in Hebei province of China since 13 June with 23 Indian sailors onboard. Another vessel, MV Anastasia, with 16 Indian nationals as its crew is stationed near Caofeidian port in China since 20 September, he said.

The MEA spokesperson said that both these vessels have been waiting for discharge of their cargo and there is a growing stress on the crew members on account of the long delay.

“Given this and our concern for the increasingly difficult conditions for our crew members, these two cases are being pursued vigorously,” Srivastava said responding to a media query on the matter.

He said the Indian Embassy in Beijing continued to remain in close and continuous touch with the Chinese authorities in Beijing, Hebei and Tianjin, adding the MEA is also following up on the matter through the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi for “an early resolution”.

“We have noted the statements of the Chinese side, expressing their willingness to extend their assistance in this matter. We expect that this assistance will be provided in an urgent, practical and time-bound manner, given the grave humanitarian situation that is developing on board the ships,” Srivastava said.

He said the Indian Embassy has repeatedly taken up the issue with both the Chinese ministry of foreign affairs and the local provincial authorities, requesting that the ships be allowed to dock and/or the crew be allowed to be changed. WITH AGENCY INPUTS