Ships with Indians aboard asked to alert authorities
shipping companies to notify authorities about any vessels with Indian seafarers taking the troubled Red Sea route and will also ensure easier flow of credit to exporters in view of delays and increase in cargo transport costs.
New Delhi is also in talks with Iranian authorities to find a diplomatic solution, officials said.
A high-level inter-ministerial group chaired by the commerce secretary Sunil Barthwal, which has officials from ministries of external affairs, defence, shipping ministry and finance, met Wednesday to take stock of the situation and undertake measures to shield domestic industry and ships from the crisis.
«MEA is negotiating diplomatically with affected countries to find a credible solution soon,» a government official privy to the deliberations told ET.
Another official noted that security protocols had been put in place to secure the troubled route with international collaboration.
The official said shipping companies have been directed to notify authorities before they venture towards Europe via the troubled Red Sea route.
These protocols have been put in place to ensure safety of Indian seafarers irrespective of the flag on the vessel they are on.
At the IMG meeting, defence ministry official said surveillance had been intensified in the Arabian Sea and more mechanisms had been put in place.
«Since the route is jointly secured by Western nations and India, the shipping companies now need to take a call on how much movement they want to undertake on the Red sea,» the official said on condition of anonymity, while adding that even if shipping companies do not notify, the government was closely monitoring all activity on the route.
Focus on credit support
The centre wants to ensure
