India Intensifies Diplomatic Push for Consular Access to Detained Crew in Iran
The Indian Embassy in Tehran issued a strong statement on Saturday. It urged Iranian authorities to grant immediate consular access to sixteen Indian crew members detained on the vessel MT Valiant Roar. This request has remained unfulfilled despite repeated diplomatic efforts since mid-December 2025.
Persistent Diplomatic Requests Since December
The Indian Mission first learned about the detention around mid-December 2025. The Consulate of India in Bandar Abbas acted swiftly. It wrote to the Government of Iran on December 14, formally seeking consular access to the crew.
"The request for consular access has been repeated numerous times since then," the embassy statement clarified. These appeals occurred through both diplomatic correspondence and in-person meetings in Bandar Abbas and Tehran. Ambassador-level discussions also took place.
Indian officials additionally requested that the Iranian authorities allow the detained crew to communicate with their families back in India.
Ensuring Crew Welfare and Legal Support
The embassy is actively working to safeguard the crew's basic needs and legal rights. With assistance from the Iranian navy, the Mission arranged emergency supplies of food and water in early January. This intervention came after the ship reported depleting stocks.
On the legal front, the Consulate established contact with the UAE-based company that owns the MT Valiant Roar on December 15. Officials have since been in touch with the company's Iran-based agents. They are pressing the firm to ensure:
- Continuous provision of food, water, and fuel for the ship.
- Arrangement of proper legal representation for the crew in Iranian courts.
The Indian Consulate in Dubai is also involved. It is urging the ship-owning company to secure legal representation and maintain regular supplies of provisions.
Background of the Detention and Family Appeal
The MT Valiant Roar was intercepted by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on December 8, 2025. This occurred in international waters near Dibba Port, UAE. Iranian authorities have accused the vessel of smuggling approximately 6,000 metric tons of fuel.
The matter is now subject to Iran's judicial process. However, the Indian Mission and Consulate continue to press for two key outcomes: early consular access to the crew and an expeditious completion of the legal proceedings.
This official statement follows a personal appeal from a crew member's family. On Thursday, the family of Third Engineer Ketan Mehta appealed directly to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They requested his intervention for the rescue of their son, who is among the sixteen detained Indians.
The Indian government's diplomatic channels remain fully engaged on this sensitive issue, balancing welfare concerns with formal legal processes.
