Indian Seafarer Stranded at Karachi Port for Months; India Seeks Consular Assistance from Pakistan

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Nov 14, 2026: India has made a consular request to Pakistan to address the situation of an Indian seafarer and five other crew members who have reportedly been stranded at Karachi port for several months.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed the development during his bi-weekly media briefing on Friday, stating that India was in touch with the stranded crew members, their shipping company and its agent to resolve the matter.

Responding to a question about an Indian merchant navy officer whose family has been appealing to the authorities for months to secure his return, Jaiswal said the matter primarily involved a commercial dispute between the shipping company and its employees.

He explained that the crew members could not simply leave the vessel, as replacement crew members would have to arrive before they could be relieved of their duties.

"We have also asked for a consular request to the Pakistani side," Jaiswal said, adding that efforts were underway to resolve the issue through discussions with the concerned parties.

He reiterated that the matter was essentially a commercial issue between the shipping company and its employees.