City
Epaper

India asks Indonesia to urgently repatriate detained seafarers

By IANS | Updated: July 2, 2019 22:15 IST

India on Tuesday asked Indonesia to take urgent steps to allow detained Indian crew members of commercial vessels to return home.

Open in App

Indonesian officials have promised to treat the matter on high priority "in view of humanitarian aspect and excellent bilateral relations", according to the Indian Embassy here.

As per media reports, at least 87 Indian seafarers are under detention in Indonesia since months for "illegal anchoring".

The issue was raised by Sanjiv Arora, Secretary, Consular, Passport and Visa (CPV) and Overseas Indian Affairs (OIA), in the Ministry of External Affairs, during the first consular dialogue held here in the framework of bilateral Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) established during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Indonesia in May last year.

"During the interaction, the Secretary (CPV & OIA) requested the Indonesian side, inter alia, to urgently take necessary measures to permit Indian crew, who have been detained onboard commercial vessels, to return to India," said a press release issued by the Indian Embassy in Jakarta.

"He handed over an aide memoire to the Director General Andri Hadi, who assured to accord this matter high priority in view of humanitarian aspect and excellent bilateral relations," it added.

The dialogue, held in Yogyakarta, also focused on furthering mechanisms to ensure the well-being and welfare of Indian and Indonesian nationals residing in and visiting each other's countries, the release said, adding that both sides arrived at a common understanding on the steps to be taken in this direction.

The discussions also pertained to ensuring the well-being of Indian and Indonesian prisoners and facilitating mechanisms to ensure smooth and regular consular access.

Both delegations expressed confidence that their deliberations would make a positive contribution in further strengthening the multi-dimensional people-to-people contacts and exchanges to the mutual benefit of both countries, it said, adding that they agreed to regularly convene the consular dialogue alternately in India and Indonesia.

The discussions, held in a "highly friendly and constructive spirit", covered wide ranging issues pertaining to consular, immigration, visas and related issues of mutual interest.

"Both sides agreed to take steps to further facilitate, expand and strengthen people-to-people contacts in diverse areas that underpin the CSP between the two countries," the release said.

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: indiaindonesiaCSPIndian EmbassyOIA
Open in App

Related Stories

InternationalIranian President Calls for Constructive Role of Brics to Halt West Asia Conflict During Talks With PM Modi

LifestyleEid 2026 Date: When Will Saudi Arabia, UAE and India Celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr?

MaharashtraMaharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis Unfurls 200-Foot National Flag at Nagpur’s Kasturchand Park

InternationalIndia Advises Its Nationals in Iran Not To Approach Land Border Without Prior Coordination With Embassy

InternationalNo Indian Killed in Saudi Arabia: Embassy Denies Indian Fatality in Al Kharj Projectile Attack

International Realted Stories

InternationalPakistan agrees to repay $3.5 billion to UAE after Abu Dhabi demands immediate return of debt

InternationalIAEA Chief expresses "deep concern" over strike on Iran's Bushehr nuke plant; no increase in radiation reported

InternationalTrump gives Iran 48-hour warning​

InternationalRubio revokes green cards over Iran links​

International345 Indian fishermen evacuated from Iran amid West Asia conflict arrive in Chennai via Armenia