Central forms panel to monitor Red Sea crisis effect on India

The Union government has set up an interministerial group anchored at the commerce ministry to monitor the crisis in the Red Sea, which is witnessing a violent regional spillover of Israel's war with Hamas that is disrupting global trade, including shipments from India, officials said.

- Zia Haq

NEW DELHI: 

Most Indian exporters, including shippers of merchandise and basmati rice, are already taking a longer route to access European and Middle-Eastearn markets, going around the Cape of Good Hope, which has increased shipment costs, officials said.

The inter-ministerial committee, led by an additional secretary-level officer, met exporters and logistics providers last week to discuss plans to keep shipments going, Union commerce secretary Sunil Barthwal said. The committee consists of representatives from ministries of defence, shipping and external affairs.