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New Delhi: The family of Rikshit Chauhan, a merchant navy officer from Himachal Pradesh's Kangra district, has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure his safe return after the Russian-flagged oil tanker he was serving on was seized by United States forces in the North Atlantic earlier this month.
Chauhan, 26, is among three Indian nationals who were part of the crew of the tanker Marinera which was intercepted by US authorities on January 7 after a prolonged maritime pursuit that reportedly began in the Caribbean Sea and extended into the North Atlantic.
According to his family, Chauhan was sent to Venezuela on his first sea assignment by a Russian company. They last spoke to him on January 7, hours before the vessel was seized. The family said Chauhan was due to return home soon, with his wedding scheduled for February 19.
"Please ensure the safe return of my son, Rikshit," his mother Reeta Devi said, appealing to the prime minister. Speaking to reporters in Palampur, she said the family has been anxiously awaiting news since losing contact with him.
His father, Ranjit Singh Chauhan, said his son had joined the merchant navy in August 2025 and had been working with a Russian firm for the past two years. "During our last conversation, he said he was well but told us there might be no contact for some time," he said, adding that the family learnt on January 10 that the ship had been seized.
According to reports, the tanker had been waiting near the border for around 10 days before being called back, after which it was seized by US forces. US authorities have said the vessel was intercepted over its alleged links to Venezuela.
The tanker had a crew of 28 at the time of seizure, including three Indians, around 20 Ukrainians, six Georgians and two Russians. All crew members, except two Russian nationals who were released on Sunday, are currently under detention.
India's Ministry of External Affairs said last week that it was closely monitoring the situation. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi was ascertaining details of the Indian nationals on board the tanker.
Meanwhile, local MLA Ashish Butail said the matter had been taken up with the state government and the Centre. "The state government has already approached the Ministry of External Affairs so that diplomatic efforts can be intensified for the safe return of the local youth," he said.
The family has also appealed to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to intervene and secure the release of Chauhan and the other Indian crew members.
