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India has raised the safety of its seafarers and commercial tankers with Iran following a series of attacks in the Strait of Hormuz and the Black Sea. National Security Adviser Ajit Doval discussed the issue with Mohsen Rezaei, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, during a phone call on October 12.

 

The conversation covered bilateral relations, regional developments and international matters. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Doval specifically highlighted the security of Indian sailors and vessels.

 

At least four vessels carrying Indian seafarers were attacked in the Strait of Hormuz between October 1 and 11, while three other vessels came under attack in the Black Sea.

 

Two Indian seafarers went missing on October 11 after a drone hit the Nicaragua-flagged tanker MT Petro Dolphin in the Strait of Hormuz. The tanker was carrying 11 crew members.

 

On the same day, the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker MT Valthera was struck by an unidentified projectile and caught fire. All 11 Indian seafarers on board were reported safe.

 

The Indian embassy in Muscat is working with Omani authorities and ship management companies to assist in the rescue of the missing seafarers.

Earlier, on October 6, the Panama-flagged commercial vessel MT On Peace was hit by a projectile off Oman while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Seventeen of its 19 crew members were Indian nationals. Twelve crew members, including 11 Indians, were injured and evacuated for medical treatment in Khasab, Oman.

 

India is among the world’s largest suppliers of seafarers, with Indians accounting for one in every eight sailors globally. The continuing violence in West Asia and the Black Sea has therefore exposed a substantial number of Indian nationals to risk.

 

The Shipping Secretary has confirmed that 11 Indian seafarers have died in the Persian Gulf since February 28, while several others have sustained injuries. More than 4,000 Indian nationals have been brought back from the Strait of Hormuz during the same period.

 

India has sought stronger international safeguards for sailors and commercial vessels at forums including the BRICS summit and the United Nations General Assembly. On the sidelines of the UNGA, India and Liberia launched the Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers to encourage international cooperation for the protection of seafarers and ships.

India and Canada work towards trade agreement

India and Canada are expanding engagement in trade, investment, energy and defence while working towards a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, or CEPA.

 

India is hosting a Canadian business delegation of nearly 300 members led by International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu. It is the largest Canadian trade delegation to visit India in 30 years.

 

The delegation is in India from October 12 to 17 and includes companies from aerospace and space, clean technology, energy transition, information and communication technology, life sciences and agri-food. Its programme also covers visits to Mumbai and Bengaluru.

 

Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand arrived in New Delhi on October 13. On October 14, she held meetings with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

 

Anand said the two countries were making progress in trade negotiations and widening cooperation in energy, innovation and security. She also pointed to scope for stronger economic and strategic ties as the international order changes.

 

During her meeting with Modi, the Canadian minister discussed trade, investment and security. She said the renewed engagement was intended to convert shared priorities into long-term opportunities.

 

Modi also spoke to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on October 13. The two leaders welcomed the increase in engagement over the previous year and reaffirmed their commitment to completing CEPA negotiations at the earliest.

 

The proposed agreement is expected to support the objective of doubling bilateral trade by 2030. Modi is expected to travel to Canada in December for the signing of the agreement.

Bangladesh home minister absent from first BIMSTEC security meeting

India hosted the first meeting of BIMSTEC home ministers on October 13 under the chairmanship of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The meeting ended with the adoption of the Delhi Declaration, under which the grouping’s seven members committed to deeper cooperation on regional security.

 

The declaration covers joint action against terrorism, drug trafficking, human trafficking, cybercrime and money laundering. It also calls for increased information-sharing, joint training and implementation of existing regional agreements. The members will further work towards progress on agreements related to extradition and the transfer of convicted prisoners.

 

Although all seven BIMSTEC members took part in the meeting, Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed was absent. Bangladesh was represented by Home Affairs Senior Secretary Manzur Morshed Chowdhury.

 

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India expected the inaugural meeting to contribute to stronger security cooperation among BIMSTEC members.

 

Ahmed’s absence was the second occasion on which a senior Bangladeshi leader skipped a multilateral meeting in India under the government led by Tarique Rahman. In September, Rahman did not attend the BRICS summit outreach session in New Delhi, despite India inviting Bangladesh as BIMSTEC chair.

 

India has also invited Rahman for a bilateral visit following his election. Bangladesh has said that a favourable environment must first be created for the visit, linking the matter to the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.