New Delhi, July 14 -- Amid the escalating maritime security situation in West Asia following attacks on two merchant vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), Sarbananda Sonowal, on Tuesday launched a comprehensive "Seafarer-First" response, directing a whole-of-government approach to safeguard every Indian seafarer operating in the conflict-affected region.

According to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), chairing a high-level inter-ministerial review meeting, Sonowal ordered real-time vessel-by-vessel monitoring, the appointment of dedicated liaison officers for every affected Indian seafarer and round-the-clock coordination by the Ministry in association with the Minis...