Why Are Indian Sailors Stranded In Karachi? India Takes Up The Matter With Pakistan

New Delhi: Six Indian sailors have been stranded at Pakistan's Karachi port for the last seven months. These also include a Chief Officer of the Merchant Navy. The concern of the families of these sailors, who have been waiting to return home for a long time, is increasing. Considering the seriousness of the matter, the Indian government has now sought diplomatic and consular assistance from Pakistan. The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed this on Friday, November 13.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the problems of the sailors are not directly related to any political dispute between India and Pakistan. Actually, this matter is related to a business dispute between the ship's owner company and its employees. Due to this dispute, the crew members are stuck in Karachi for a long time.

What help did the Indian government ask from Pakistan?

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that the Indian government is in constant touch with the sailors stranded there, their shipping company and the company's agent. Consular and diplomatic assistance has been requested from Pakistan to resolve this matter.

Jaiswal said the government is monitoring the situation of the sailors and is in talks with the concerned parties. He clarified that this is primarily a commercial matter between the shipping company and its employees.

When and how did Indian sailors reach Karachi port?

According to reports, the ship carrying six Indian sailors reached Karachi port on 17 April 2026. After this the ship got caught in a dispute and the crew members were forced to stay in Pakistan.
In this case, the name of merchant navy officer Vineet Kishore Mishra, resident of Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, has also come up. It is reported that he had joined Iran's shipping company KEVER Shipping Company on 25 February 2026. He had reached Karachi by ship from Oman.

The family alleges that after the ship reached the port, a dispute started between the company and the port officials. This dispute had an impact on the Indian employees working on the ship.

Why are the sailors not able to leave the ship and return to India?

A spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs said that the crew members deployed on the ship cannot leave their duty midway. It is necessary to arrange for other employees in their place. Unless the shipping company recruits new crew, it is difficult for existing employees to formally leave the ship.

This is the reason why the return of the sailors is being delayed until the ongoing dispute between the company and the employees is resolved.

What allegations did the families make and what is the condition of the sailors?

The families of the sailors have expressed serious concern about their current condition. Vineet Kishore Mishra's family alleges that the passports of the employees present on the ship have been confiscated. The family has also claimed that the power supply on the ship was switched off.

According to family members, the communication system on the ship is very poor. Because of this, sailors are not able to have regular conversations with their families. Many times they get a chance to talk only at an interval of about 15 days.

At present, the Indian government is in contact with Pakistani authorities and the concerned shipping company to resolve this matter. The families of the six Indian sailors now have hope from government efforts for their return home.