Hyderabad, July 7 -- The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has begun implementing directions issued by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in connection with Indian seafarers stranded in the Persian Gulf, following a petition filed by Hyderabad-based advocate Yennam Balachander Reddy.

Official correspondence dated Monday, July 6, shows that the MEA's Gulf Division has referred the matter to its PAI Division in compliance with the NHRC's order issued on June 19.

According to the communication, the PAI Division informed that, based on a list shared by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), only six India-bound vessels were awaiting clearance as of June 29. It added that the division was continuously engaging with ...