On Thursday, Randhir Jaiswal, the spokesperson for India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), announced that 11 Indian ships have successfully exited the Strait of Hormuz, while 13 ships continue to operate in the Persian Gulf. In response to questions regarding Iranian ships potentially using Indian territorial waters to bypass US blockades, Jaiswal clarified that international waters do not require permission for passage, but entering Indian waters is a technical matter for the Ministry of Shipping. Jaiswal emphasized that diplomatic discussions with Iranian authorities have been productive, aiming to facilitate the remaining ships' safe passage. Furthermore, Opesh Kumar Sharma, Director of Shipping at the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, reassured that all Indian seafarers in the region remain safe, with no incidents reported involving Indian-flagged vessels. The Ministry has also coordinated the safe repatriation of over 2,999 seafarers, including 23 in the last 48 hours.