<h4 data-path-to-node="3"><b data-path-to-node="3" data-index-in-node="0">High-Level Inter-Ministerial Review Convened</b></h4><p data-path-to-node="4"><b>NEW DELHI</b> — As evolving geopolitical tensions and security incidents continue to disrupt commercial transit across volatile shipping routes in West Asia and the Black Sea region, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, chaired a comprehensive high-level review meeting in New Delhi to assess safety measures, emergency response protocols, and welfare mechanisms for Indian seafarers.</p><p data-path-to-node="5">The strategic review brought together senior officials from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS), and Heads of Indian Missions across sensitive maritime hubs—including Oman, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Russia, and Ukraine. Officials briefed the Minister on the prevailing security situation in critical chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb, alongside the emergency readiness of Indian diplomatic posts abroad to respond swiftly to maritime contingencies.</p><h4 data-path-to-node="7"><b data-path-to-node="7" data-index-in-node="0">"Seafarer-First" Policy &amp; Zero-Tolerance for Geopolitical Risks</b></h4><p data-path-to-node="8">Reaffirming the Government of India’s unwavering commitment to the safety of its seafaring workforce, Minister Sonowal emphasized that the security and well-being of Indian mariners serving aboard international merchant vessels remains the highest national priority.</p><p data-path-to-node="9">Addressing the convened inter-agency leadership, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal stated:</p><blockquote data-path-to-node="10"><p data-path-to-node="10,0"><i data-path-to-node="10,0" data-index-in-node="0">"No Indian seafarer should find himself caught in the crossfire of geopolitical conflict. Every possible measure must be taken to safeguard our mariners, support their families, and ensure immediate, round-the-clock assistance wherever required across global trade corridors."</i></p></blockquote><p data-path-to-node="11">The Minister directed all concerned authorities to maintain seamless, multi-departmental coordination connecting the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, the Ministry of External Affairs, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, the Indian Navy, and Indian diplomatic missions overseas.</p><h4 data-path-to-node="13"><b data-path-to-node="13" data-index-in-node="0">24x7 Tracking &amp; Pre-Deployment Awareness Directives</b></h4><p data-path-to-node="14">To ensure real-time crisis intervention and structured support, the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) confirmed that its <b data-path-to-node="14" data-index-in-node="125">24x7 Seafarer Grievance and Assistance Cell</b> is operational on a full-capacity mandate. The cell provides round-the-clock tracking, direct emergency helplines, vessel position monitoring, and grievance redressal mechanisms for active crew members and their families.</p><p data-path-to-node="15">The Ministry also evaluated pre-deployment safety enhancements:</p><ol start="1" data-path-to-node="16"><li><p data-path-to-node="16,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="16,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Structured Orientation Programs:</b> Recruitment and Placement Service Licensees (RPSLs) have been tasked with conducting mandatory pre-departure briefings, familiarizing crew members with evolving regional risk advisories, emergency communications, and defensive security protocols before boarding vessels.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="16,1,0"><b data-path-to-node="16,1,0" data-index-in-node="0">Mental Health &amp; Family Counseling:</b> Recognizing the psychological strain associated with prolonged deployments in high-risk conflict zones, Sonowal instructed officials to integrate structured mental health counseling services and transparent risk disclosures into the national seafarer welfare framework.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="16,2,0"><b data-path-to-node="16,2,0" data-index-in-node="0">Inter-Agency Real-Time Monitoring:</b> Indian diplomatic missions in key Gulf and Black Sea states have deployed dedicated maritime liaison officers to coordinate directly with vessel managers, ocean carriers, and international maritime security centers.</p></li></ol><h4 data-path-to-node="18"><b data-path-to-node="18" data-index-in-node="0">Strategic Importance to Global Maritime Trade</b></h4><p data-path-to-node="19">India remains one of the world's largest suppliers of qualified maritime officers and ratings, contributing over 10% of the global seafaring workforce. With merchant shipping facing heightened operational risks, the Union Government's proactive safety oversight aims to protect mariners while ensuring the uninterrupted flow of global energy, food, and industrial supply chains.</p>