New Delhi, April 19: Amid escalating tensions in West Asia, the government on Sunday said nearly 10.97 lakh passengers have returned to India since February 28, reflecting ongoing evacuation and travel management efforts.
According to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, close coordination is underway with the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian missions, and maritime stakeholders to ensure the safety of seafarers and the continuity of shipping operations.
Providing reassurance, Indian-flagged crude oil tanker Desh Garima is expected to arrive safely in Mumbai on April 22. However, two other vessels—VLCC Samnar Herad and bulk carrier Jag Arnav—reported a firing incident while transiting the Strait of Hormuz in the past 24 hours. Both ships subsequently returned to the Persian Gulf, with no injuries reported among crew members.
In response, India has raised the issue with Iran, calling in its Ambassador for discussions with the Foreign Secretary. Authorities emphasised the need to ensure safe passage for merchant vessels and urged expedited facilitation of India-bound ships through the Strait.
On the aviation front, flight operations continue from countries with open airspace, albeit under close monitoring. In the United Arab Emirates, around 110 flights are expected to operate between the UAE and India, including limited non-scheduled services. Flights are also ongoing from Saudi Arabia and Oman, while Qatar Airways is likely to operate 10–11 flights following partial reopening of Qatar airspace.
Meanwhile, Iran’s airspace remains partially open for cargo and chartered flights. The Indian Embassy in Tehran has facilitated the evacuation of 2,378 Indian nationals via Armenia and Azerbaijan, including over 1,000 students and several hundred fishermen.
The government said it continues to closely monitor the evolving situation, prioritising the safety of citizens and ensuring minimal disruption to critical transport and logistics networks.
