New Delhi:
India has launched a maritime safety initiative at the United Nations aimed at strengthening the protection of ships and seafarers amid growing security concerns in international waters.
The initiative comes at a time when Indian seafarers and commercial vessels have faced heightened risks in waters affected by regional conflicts. India has also been working to assist Indian crew members caught up in maritime incidents.
The safety of Indian seafarers has emerged as a major concern following the recent attack on a commercial vessel off Oman, in which an Indian seafarer was killed and several others were rescued.
The government has been coordinating efforts to bring back rescued crew members and the body of the deceased seafarer. The latest UN initiative is expected to focus attention on maritime security and the protection of civilian shipping and crews.