New Delhi, February 11: As many as 18 Indian sailors, who were stuck in Chinese waters, would return to India on February 14, reports said. The news was shared by Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday in a tweet. “Our 18 stranded seafarers of MV Anastasia will sign off from Japan today and reach India on February 14,” Mandaviya had tweeted. The Minister added saying that the seafarers will soon be reunited with their families! "Appreciate the efforts of Indian Embassy in China and Team MSC", he said.

According to IANS, having been at sea for more than 18 months, the seafarers on the ship were caught in a political tussle between China and Australia. According to reports, as many as 18 sailors were stuck on merchant ports since September last year because of the ongoing trade row between Australia and China. India Initiates Talks With Chinese Authorities to Rescue 39 Indian Sailors Stranded on Board MV Jag Anand And MV Anastasia in Chinese Waters.

Here's the tweet by Mansukh Mandaviya:

The sailors were aboard Anastasia, a cargo ship that was denied because of carrying Australian Charcoal. Reports inform that the Chinese authorities conveyed that on account of various COVID-19 restrictions, crew change wasn’t permitted at the ports.

In January, as many as 23 seafarers aboard vessel Jag Anand, which was also stranded in Chinese waters for similar reasons, returned to India. The ship was stuck in anchorage near Jingtang port in Hebei province since June 13, 2020.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 11, 2021 07:01 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).