India calls for immediate release of 7 Indian crew members on board UAE-flagged vessel seized by Houthis

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A view of a ship seized by Yemen’s Houthi rebels off the Yemen’s Red Sea coast in a frame grab from video handed out by the Houthi’s media center (Reuters)

UNITED NATIONS: India has called for the immediate release of seven Indian crew members on board a United Arab Emirates-flagged cargo vessel that was seized by Houthis off the port of Hodeidah in Yemen.
India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador T S Tirumurti, speaking at a UN Security Council meeting on Yemen on Wednesday, expressed grave concern over seizure and detention of the vessel Rawabi.
Tirumurti tweeted that he “called for immediate release of 7 Indian crew members, expressed deep concern about their safety & well-being & that Houthis should ensure their safety till release.”
India also calls upon all parties to the conflict to immediately cease fighting, de-escalate the situation and engage unconditionally with the Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen.
The External Affairs Ministry said Tuesday that all seven Indian sailors on board a United Arab Emirates-flagged cargo vessel that was seized by Houthis off the port of Hodeidah in Yemen are safe and the government is making all efforts to secure their early release.
Arindam Bagchi, the spokesperson in the ministry, said India has been closely monitoring developments following the seizure of the UAE flagged ship Rwabee by the Houthis on January 2.
“We also understand from the company and other sources that all Indian crew members are safe. The government of India is making all efforts to secure their early release,” Bagchi said.
The Houthi rebels have a strong presence in parts of Yemen.
“We are in touch with the company operating the ship and have been informed that out of the 11 crew members on board the ship, seven are from India,” Bagchi said while replying to a media query on the issue.
“We urge the Houthis to ensure the safety and well-being of the crew members and release them immediately. India is concerned at the recent intensification of fighting in Yemen and hopes that all parties will come to the negotiating table to find a peaceful resolution to the Yemen issue,” he added.