Chennai: India said it is closely coordinating with China to bring back 16 Indian sailors who are stranded on a cargo ship in Chinese waters for nearly four months.
Thirty-nine Indian crew members are stranded on two cargo ships in Chinese waters out of whom 23 who are stuck on board MV Jag Anand are returning to India.
“As regards MV Anastasia, we are closely coordinating with the Chinese authorities who are finalising the process or SOP (standard operating procedure) to effect crew change at anchorage,” External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said.
“As soon as this is received from the Chinese authorities, the company (that owns the ship) is expected to initiate the process of crew change,” he said.
Srivastava said the MEA and the Indian mission in China have been continuously pursuing the issue of crew change of Indian sailors on board the two ships.
Earlier this month, India sought âurgent, practical and time-boundâ assistance to 39 Indian sailors stranded on the two ships considering the “grave” humanitarian situation developing on board the vessels.
Citing coronavirus-related restrictions, Chinese authorities did not allow the ships to either dock or go for a crew change for months.