NEW DELHI: Government continues to be in touch with the Iranian authorities for the safety of Indian ships for their safe exit through the Strait of Hormuz, external affairs ministry said Monday, while emphasizing that New Delhi attaches very high importance to the safety and security of mariners and transit through the Strait should be unimpeded.Talking to reporters, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said several Indian ships are in the Persian Gulf and the government has been in touch with Iran and others for their safe exit. “When the firing incident happened Saturday two of our ships came under firing. When this matter was reported to us, we took it up very strongly. We called in the Iranian ambassador. He had a meeting with the foreign secretary. Foreign secretary conveyed our deep concerns on this incident and also reiterated the point that we have been making that we attach very high importance to the safety and security of our mariners of commercial shipping and that there should be unimpeded transit through the Strait of Hormuz,” he said. Shipping ministry said it is in close and continuous communication with the crew and owners of both the vessels and is closely monitoring the situation. It is monitoring the situation on a continuous basis and assured to extend all possible help.
