India seeks early consular access to 16 Indian crew members of vessel detained by Iran

The Indian Embassy in Iran on Saturday said it has sought early consular access for 16 Indian crew-members, who were on board the vessel MT Valiant Roar detained by Iranian authorities in December last year.

In a statement posted on X, the Embassy said that it was informed about the ship’s detention around mid-December. Following this, the Consulate of India in Bandar Abbas wrote to the Government of Iran seeking Consular Access to the detained Indian crew members.

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“The request for consular access has been repeated numerous times since then, both by diplomatic correspondence and in-person meetings in Bandar Abbas and Tehran, including at the level of the Ambassador. The Iranian authorities were also requested to allow the crew to communicate with their families in India,” the Embassy said.

The Consulate further established contact with the UAE-based company that owns the ship and asked it to ensure legal representation and supply of food, water and fuel for the ship.

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The Mission also arranged emergency supplies of food and water when informed about the depleting stock of provisions.

According to the Embassy, the matter is expected to undergo judicial proceedings in Iran. However, it added that the Mission continues to engage with the Iranian authorities for early consular access and expeditious legal process.

“The Mission and the Consulate continue to press the Iranian authorities to grant early consular access to the crew, and to ensure expeditious completion of the judicial proceedings,” the statement added.