India in talks with Iran over detained ship

India Friday said it is in discussions through diplomatic channels with Iran over the detention of an Indian oil tanker in the Persian Gulf even as Tehran termed the detention as a "technical and non-political issue".

The Indian external affairs ministry here said it was "in discussions through diplomatic channels with Iran on the matter" of the detention of MT Desh Shanti, a crude-carrying vessel of the Shipping Corporation of India.

The vessel, carrying crude from Iraq, is reportedly being held by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Iranian waters.

Iran has demanded an anti-pollution undertaking from the ship's captain and Shipping Corporation of India for releasing the vessel.

The Iranian embassy said in a statement that "some distorted reports" have been appearing about the detention of MT Desh Shanti and that the vessel was detained "only because of the warning issued by the Marine Emergency Mutual Aid Center (MEMAC) which is affiliated to the Regional Organization for Protection of Maritime Environment (ROPME) in the Persian Gulf and the Oman Sea".

"This is purely a technical and non-political issue and the officials of the shipping authorities of the two countries are engaged in constructive and positive interaction to resolve it according to the international law as soon as possible. The diplomatic channels of two countries are also involved in supporting this interaction," the statement said.