Ministry of External Affairs on Friday sought urgent assistance for the 39 sailors stranded on cargo ships in Chinese territory. Delhi also reminded Beijing of the grave humanitarian crisis developing on board.
Indian authorities were working with the shipping companies involved to facilitate a crew change and that the Indian embassy in Beijing had written to Chinese authorities seeking approval for the same, MEA said while acknowledging China’s statements which expressed willingness to extend assistance in this matter.
"Our embassy in Beijing has repeatedly taken up these cases both with the Chinese ministry of foreign affairs and also the local provincial authorities, requesting that the ships be allowed to dock and/or the crew be allowed to be changed. They have been following up this matter for the last few months," said MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava.
He further added that the Indian ambassador had personally taken up this issue with the Chinese vice-foreign minister. The issue has also been taken up with the Chinese embassy here.
Indian bulk cargo vessel MV Jag Anand is docked near the Jingtand port in Hebei province since June 13 with 23 Indian nationals on board, whereas, another vessel, MV Anastasia, with 16 Indian nationals remains on anchorage near Caofeidian port since September 20.
Beijing earlier said that it is providing sailors help and essential commodities, as well as, crew change while meeting certain quarantine regulations. However, it further clarified that the Jingtang port was not in the list for such crew change.
The vessels with Indians have been waiting for discharge of their cargo. "There is growing stress on the crew on account of the long delay. Given this and our concern for the increasingly difficult conditions for our crew, these two cases are being pursued vigorously," said Srivastava.
