India’s foreign policy must look seaward, Pg6

Key Highlights:

• Indian seafarers face significant risks globally, including attacks in West Asia and abandonment, despite India having the second-largest seafarer workforce.
• At least eight Indian seafarers were killed in West Asia since February 28, highlighting the dangers in conflict zones.
• The government launched the Seafarer First response initiative, including a dashboard to track ships and liaison officers for affected families.
• India advised shipowners to avoid deploying Indian seafarers through the Strait of Hormuz due to security concerns.
• The Directorate General of Shipping prohibited licensed recruitment agencies from placing Indian seafarers on 366 vessels linked to abandonment.

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Detailed Insights:

• The complex international maritime framework often obscures responsibility for seafarer welfare, involving multiple jurisdictions and entities.
• India's seafarer workforce reached 3.2 lakh by June 2025, ranking second globally, underscoring the need for robust protection mechanisms.
• The current consular system, organized by territory, struggles to support mobile seafarers who cross multiple jurisdictions during voyages.
• Over 1,125 Indian seafarers were abandoned in 2025, the highest from any country, indicating systemic issues in enforcement of maritime labor laws.
• The Seafarer First response aims to proactively account for Indian seafarers in high-risk regions and provide support.
• Beyond West Asia, seafarers face threats from missiles, drones, and mines in the Black Sea and Red Sea, and piracy off the Gulf of Aden and West Africa.
• India needs a standing maritime consular protocol to define clear responsibilities from the moment a distress signal is received.
• Indian missions in major shipping centers require designated officers with local contacts to effectively assist seafarers.
• India should collaborate with the Philippines and Indonesia to advocate for common standards on repatriation at the International Maritime Organization and International Labour Organization.
• Seafarers should have the right to know vessel ownership, routes, sanctions status, and insurance validity before signing contracts.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Flag State: The country under whose laws a merchant ship is registered or licensed, determining its nationality.
• Maritime Labour Convention (MLC): An International Labour Organization convention setting out seafarers' rights to decent working and living conditions.
• International Maritime Organization (IMO): A specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for regulating shipping.
• Directorate General of Shipping: The Indian government body responsible for maritime administration and safety.