The Indian government has taken steps to facilitate the return of a seafarer from Keralam who was stranded at Chabahar Port in Iran after losing essential travel and maritime documents. The Ministry of External Affairs has issued an emergency travel certificate to Akshay Harish, enabling authorities to move forward with arrangements for his return to India. During a media briefing in New Delhi yesterday, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated that the safety and well-being of Indian seafarers working abroad remain a key priority for the government. He confirmed that the necessary emergency document had been issued to help resolve the difficulties faced by the stranded mariner and support his early return home.
According to the spokesperson, Harish encountered the problem after being informed that his passport and Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC), both essential documents for seafarers, had been lost while he was aboard a merchant vessel. Following the incident, the Indian Embassy in Tehran and the Consulate in Bandar Abbas contacted him and began coordinating with the vessel’s owner, agent and employer to complete the required documentation. With the emergency travel certificate now issued, the government is working with his employer to finalise the remaining arrangements. The authorities are making efforts to ensure that the seafarer can return to his home state of Keralam at the earliest possible opportunity. The development reflects the diplomatic assistance being extended to Indian nationals facing difficulties overseas.
