India is "vigorously" pursuing with Iran the matter of detention of its oil tanker in Bandar Abbas port for the last 10 days.
"We have been in touch constantly with Iran on this issue. Despite intensive discussions, we have not yet made any progress. The matter is being pursued vigorously by our embassy in Tehran," spokesperson in the Ministry of External Affairs said here today.
He added that the ministry was working towards successful outcome of the "delicate" situation.
MT Desh Shanti was detained by Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) on August 12 in Persian Gulf and taken to Bandar Abbas port while carrying crude from Basrah in Iraq.
The Iranian authorities had expressed environment concerns and alleged that the vessel was causing pollution, a charge which has been denied by Indian officials.
The Indian officials said there was no pollution from the comparatively new vessel with a capacity to carry 140,000 tonnes of crude.
"The pleas by the Indian team after inspection of the ship that it did not cause any pollution so far has not been accepted by the Iran officials. There has been virtually no progress," a Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) official told PTI.
The Indian team including the surveyor from Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) and a senior SCI official, sent to inspect the ship for any pollution it caused, is still camping there, he said.
Director General of Shipping has sent a team of officials to Bandar Abbas port to inspect the vessel.
The IRS is an internationally recognised independent ship classification society, founded in India in 1975.
