City
Epaper

India asks Indonesia to urgently repatriate detained seafarers

By IANS | Published: July 02, 2019 10:04 PM

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

CricketIND vs CAN, T20 World Cup 2024: Toss Delayed Due to Wet Outfield in Florida, Inspection at 8 PM IST

HealthDo You Know Why India Has Emerged as a Leading Hotspot for Cancer?

CricketVirat Kohli's Struggles Continue as Opener in T20 World Cup 2024; Dismissed for Golden Duck by Saurabh Netravalkar

InternationalKuwait Fire: Over 41 Dead, Including 5 Indians, After Blaze Erupts in Mangaf; MEA Expresses Condolences (Watch Video)

InternationalPM Modi Responds to Nawaz Sharif’s Congratulatory Post, Says “People of India Have Always Stood for Peace”

International Realted Stories

InternationalHeavy rainfall triggers flooding in 22 rivers in China

InternationalCrown Prince of Abu Dhabi congratulates UAE President, VPs, Rulers on Eid Al-Adha

InternationalMore to say about next year's G7 when we assume presidency: Trudeau on whether Canada will invite PM Modi

InternationalIsrael – Palestine Conflict: Israeli Military Announces ‘Tactical Pause’ in Gaza Military Offensive

International4 killed in road mishap in Afghanistan