India’s Foreign Policy Must Look Seaward

INDIA’S FOREIGN POLICY MUST LOOK SEAWARD

Why in the News?

  • The recent conflict in West Asia has exposed the vulnerability of Indian seafarers working aboard commercial vessels operating in conflict zones.
  • Since February 28, at least 14 Indians have been killed in attacks linked to the West Asia conflict, including eight Indian seafarers.
  • On July 15, the Government of India advised shipowners and recruitment agencies not to deploy Indian seafarers on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz until further orders due to escalating security risks.
  • The government also launched the “Seafarer First” initiative, including a real-time dashboard to monitor ships, track threats, and provide liaison support to the families of affected seafarers.
  • The issue has renewed attention on the need for stronger consular protection, maritime safety protocols, repatriation mechanisms, and international cooperation to safeguard India’s large seafaring workforce amid growing geopolitical tensions.

Forgotten Maritime Workforce

  • Growing Global Workforce: India has around 3.2 lakh seafarers (June 2025), nearly three times the number in 2014, making it the world’s second-largest supplier of seafarers after the Philippines, contributing over 12% of the global workforce.
  • Jurisdictional Challenges: Indian seafarers work across multiple countries and maritime jurisdictions during a single voyage, making it difficult for the existing territory-based consular system to monitor or assist them effectively.
  • Delayed Government Response: Indian missions often become aware of a seafarer’s situation only after the vessel is attacked, seized, abandoned, or detained, limiting the scope for timely intervention.
  • Rising Cases of Abandonment: According to the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), 1,125 Indian seafarers were abandoned in 2025—the highest number for any country—highlighting serious gaps in protection and accountability.
  • Complex Responsibility Framework: In cases of distress, responsibility is fragmented among the flag State, port authority, shipowner, insurer, and Indian diplomatic missions, often delaying rescue, repatriation, and legal assistance.
  • ‘Seafarer First’ Initiative: In response to the escalating crisis in West Asia, the Government launched the Seafarer First initiative to strengthen monitoring and support for Indian seafarers.
  • Real-Time Monitoring Mechanism: The initiative includes a centralised dashboard to track ships, assess security threats, monitor crew welfare, and provide dedicated liaison officers for affected families.
  • Expanding Maritime Security Risks: Indian seafarers face threats not only in West Asia, but also in the Black Sea, Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and West Africa, due to armed conflict, piracy, drone attacks, and hostage-taking.
  • Precautionary Deployment Advisory: On July 15, the Government advised shipowners, managers, and recruitment agencies not to deploy Indian seafarers on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz until further notice.
  • Need for a Permanent Risk Management System: The article argues that the dashboard and liaison mechanism should remain operational for all identified high-risk maritime regions, rather than being activated only during crises.

There is a Lifeline, There are Gaps

  • Technology Has Limited Utility: While ship-tracking applications allow families to monitor a vessel’s location, they provide no information about the crew’s safety, leaving families uncertain about whether seafarers are injured, detained, or exposed to danger.
  • Monitoring Alone Is Insufficient: The proposed Seafarer First dashboard can track ships but cannot compel shipowners or flag States to act, nor can it ensure access to detained or abandoned seafarers.
  • Need for a Standard Maritime Consular Protocol: India should establish a standing maritime consular protocol that clearly defines the responsibilities of government agencies from the moment a distress signal is received.
  • Improved Data Sharing: Recruitment agencies should be mandated to provide real-time crew lists, vessel details, and voyage routes to enable timely government intervention during emergencies.
  • Strengthening Indian Missions Abroad: Indian embassies and consulates in major shipping hubs should designate specialised maritime officers with established links to port authorities, hospitals, insurers, and legal experts for faster crisis response.
  • Enforcing International Labour Standards: India should ensure that flag States fulfil their obligations under the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), particularly regarding payment of wages, prevention of crew abandonment, and timely repatriation.
  • Protection Beyond National Jurisdiction: Indian seafarers require continuous legal, diplomatic, and consular protection, irrespective of the vessel’s flag, ownership, or the waters in which they operate.
  • Bridging Gaps in Bilateral Agreements: Existing bilateral maritime agreements primarily facilitate recognition of Indian certificates and employment opportunities, but inadequately address legal aid, consular access, detention, and repatriation.
  •  Promoting International Cooperation: India should collaborate with other major seafarer-supplying nations such as the Philippines and Indonesia to advocate for common international standards on repatriation, detention, and deployment in conflict zones through the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO).
  • Protecting Civilian Seafarers: Merchant seafarers are civilian workers, not combatants, and should not become targets of armed conflict because of a vessel’s cargo, ownership, or flag.
  • Safeguarding Freedom of Navigation: India should consistently oppose attacks on commercial shipping and support safe and secure sea lanes, ensuring civilian crews can operate without being exposed to conflict-related risks.

The Right to Know

  • Right to Informed Employment: Before signing a contract, every seafarer should have access to complete information regarding the vessel’s ownership, trading route, sanctions status, insurance validity, and the owner’s history of crew abandonment.
  • Protection Against High-Risk Deployment: Since voyage routes can change after departure, seafarers assigned to designated high-risk conflict zones should have the right to decline deployment and return home without financial or contractual penalties.
  • Transparency in Recruitment: Recruitment agencies should be legally required to disclose all relevant risk information before employment, enabling seafarers to make informed decisions.
  • Implementation of DG Shipping Directive: On May 14, the Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping) barred licensed recruitment agencies from deploying Indian seafarers on 366 vessels linked to crew abandonment, unless prescribed compliance conditions were fulfilled.
  • Mandatory Disclosure of Blacklisted Vessels: Recruitment agencies should proactively provide seafarers with the list of restricted or non-compliant vessels before contract signing, rather than expecting workers to obtain the information themselves.
  • Strict Accountability for Recruitment Agencies: Agencies that fail to disclose vessel-related risks or violate DG Shipping guidelines should face stringent penalties and regulatory action.
  • People-Centric Maritime Policy: India’s maritime strategy should extend beyond ports, shipping corridors, naval strength, and cargo capacity to prioritise the safety, welfare, and accountability associated with Indian seafarers.
  • State Responsibility Towards Citizens Abroad: Regardless of the flag under which a vessel sails, India retains a continuing responsibility to protect, assist, and repatriate its citizens working at sea.

Way Forward

  • Institutionalise the Seafarer First Initiative: Make the real-time tracking dashboard, family liaison system, and emergency response mechanism permanent for all identified high-risk maritime regions.
  • Establish a Maritime Consular Protocol: Create a standard operating procedure (SOP) defining the roles of the Ministry of External Affairs, DG Shipping, Indian missions, and recruitment agencies during maritime emergencies.
  • Strengthen Consular Capacity: Appoint dedicated maritime officers in Indian missions at major global shipping hubs to coordinate with port authorities, hospitals, insurers, and legal agencies.
  • Enhance Transparency in Recruitment: Mandate full disclosure of vessel ownership, sanctions status, insurance, route, and previous abandonment records before seafarers sign employment contracts.
  • Ensure Safe Deployment Practices: Guarantee the right of seafarers to refuse deployment to designated conflict zones without contractual or financial penalties.
  • Strengthen Regulatory Oversight: Strictly enforce the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), 2006 and DG Shipping guidelines, with penalties for recruitment agencies and shipowners violating safety and welfare norms.
  • Promote International Cooperation: Collaborate with major seafarer-supplying nations such as the Philippines and Indonesia through the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and International Labour Organization (ILO) to develop common standards for repatriation, detention, and conflict-zone deployment.
  • Develop a National Seafarer Database: Create an integrated digital registry with real-time information on Indian seafarers, vessels, deployment routes, and emergency contacts for rapid crisis response.
  • Strengthen Legal and Welfare Support: Expand bilateral maritime agreements to include provisions for legal assistance, consular access, compensation, insurance protection, and timely repatriation.
  • Adopt a Human-Centric Maritime Policy: Align India’s maritime ambitions under MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) and the Maritime India Vision 2030 with the safety, welfare, and dignity of Indian seafarers, recognising them as strategic national assets rather than merely maritime workers.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/indias-foreign-policy-must-look-seaward/article71263495.ece

GS Paper II (International Relations / Governance) – 15 Marks

“India’s emergence as a leading supplier of global seafarers necessitates a shift from a shipping-centric approach to a comprehensive maritime human security framework.” Discuss the challenges faced by Indian seafarers in conflict zones and suggest measures to strengthen their protection. (250 words)