India’s foreign policy must look seaward
An Indian seafarer may be recruited in Mumbai, hired by a company based in Singapore, placed on a ship flying the flag of Panama, carrying Kuwaiti oil, attacked off the coast of Oman, and detained in a fifth country. His family may know that he is in danger without knowing which government, shipowner, or insurer is responsible for bringing him home. For thousands of Indian seafarers, this uncertainty is not an exception but a routine part of ordinary working life.
- ▪An Indian seafarer may be recruited in Mumbai, hired by a company based in Singapore, placed on a ship flying the flag of Panama, carrying Kuwaiti oil, attacked off the coast of Oman, and detained in a fifth country.
- ▪His family may know that he is in danger without knowing which government, shipowner, or insurer is responsible for bringing him home.
- ▪For thousands of Indian seafarers, this uncertainty is not an exception but a routine part of ordinary working life.
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At sea, nationality is usually clear. Responsibility seldom is. An Indian seafarer may be recruited in Mumbai, hired by a company based in Singapore, placed on a ship flying the flag of Panama, carrying Kuwaiti oil, attacked off the coast of Oman, and detained in a fifth country. His family may know that he is in danger without knowing which government, shipowner, or insurer is responsible for bringing him home. No single authority is fully in charge. For thousands of Indian seafarers, this uncertainty is not an exception but a routine part of ordinary working life. The Indian seafarer deserves better in choppy high seasOf the 14 Indians killed in attacks connected to the conflict in West Asia since February 28, at least eight were seafarers aboard commercial ships.
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