Fantastic news brings a wave of relief to families across India! The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) recently announced that eight of the sixteen Indian sailors, who were detained in Iran, have been released and are now preparing to travel back to India after completing necessary formalities.
These sixteen brave seafarers were part of the crew on the vessel MT Valiant Roar, which was detained by Iranian authorities back in mid-December. Since that time, their families have endured anxious waiting, while the Indian government has been working tirelessly behind the scenes to secure their release and ensure their well-being.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed this welcome development, stating that extensive consular access was granted. Indian officials from the Consulate in Bandar Abbas personally met with the sailors, providing crucial support and reassurance. “Eight of them have been released and will be returning home as soon as the necessary travel formalities are complete,” Jaiswal conveyed to reporters, highlighting the immediate focus on their return journey.
The efforts from the Indian side have been relentless. For weeks, the Indian Embassy in Tehran and the Consulate in Bandar Abbas made persistent requests for consular access. They ensured the crew could communicate with their families back home and even intervened directly with the Iranian navy to arrange emergency supplies of food and water when stocks ran low on the ship. Furthermore, they pressed the UAE-based ship-owning company and its Iranian agents to provide legal representation and essential provisions.
While this is a significant and joyful breakthrough, the mission isn’t over. Efforts continue for the remaining eight sailors. The Indian authorities are in constant touch with their Iranian counterparts, providing full support and working diligently for their swift release. We remain hopeful that soon, all our sailors will be reunited with their loved ones, bringing an end to this challenging period for their families.
