AMN / NEW DELHI
India’s Embassy in Beijing has repeatedly taken up the cases of MV Jag Anand and MV Anastasia with the Chinese side, requesting that the ships be allowed to dock and the crew be allowed to be changed. In response to a media query on the status of the two ships, External Affairs Ministry Spokesman Anurag Srivastava said, MV Jag Anand is on anchorage near Jingtang port in Hebei province of China with 23 Indian nationals as crew on board. Another vessel, MV Anastasia, which has 16 Indian nationals as its crew, is on anchorage near Caofeidian port in China.
Mr Srivastava said, the Chinese authorities have conveyed that on account of various COVID-19 related restrictions imposed by the local authorities, crew change is not being permitted from these ports. He said, Indian Embassy in Beijing continues to remain in close and continuous touch with the Chinese authorities in Beijing, Hebei and Tianjin. The Ministry is also following up through the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi for an early resolution.
The Spokesman said, India has noted the statements of the Chinese side, expressing their willingness to extend their assistance in this matter. He said, India expects that this assistance will be provided in an urgent, practical and time-bound manner.