Let off 41 sailors stuck in China: Indian envoy

New Delhi, January 8

Indian Ambassador to Beijing Vikram Misri has provided options to the Chinese Government to resolve the grave humanitarian crises facing 41 Indian sailors stuck on two “floating prisons” off the Chinese coast for nearly six months due to an escalating trade conflict between China and Australia.

Misri met the Vice Minister of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in Beijing, while the External Affairs Ministry is in touch with the Chinese embassy here for an early crew change on the two ships, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs Anurag Srivastava said at a news briefing here on Friday.

Meanwhile, industrialist Naveen Jindal has offered to buy the coal on the ships so that the sailors could be moved to Indian ports along with the cargo. In view of the strict pandemic control measures, the Chinese authorities have outlined detailed steps for smooth movement of crew. — TNS