Indonesian officials have promised to treat the matter on high priority "in view of humanitarian aspect and excellent bilateral relations", according to the Indian Embassy here.
As per media reports, at least 87 Indian seafarers are under detention in Indonesia since months for "illegal anchoring".
The issue was raised by Sanjiv Arora, Secretary, Consular, Passport and Visa (CPV) and Overseas Indian Affairs (OIA), in the Ministry of External Affairs, during the first consular dialogue held here in the framework of bilateral Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) established during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Indonesia in May last year.
"During the interaction, the Secretary (CPV & OIA) requested the Indonesian side, inter alia, to urgently take necessary measures to permit Indian crew, who have been detained onboard commercial vessels, to return to India," said a press release issued by the Indian Embassy in Jakarta.
"He handed over an aide memoire to the Director General Andri Hadi, who assured to accord this matter high priority in view of humanitarian aspect and excellent bilateral relations," it added.
The dialogue, held in Yogyakarta, also focused on furthering mechanisms to ensure the well-being and welfare of Indian and Indonesian nationals residing in and visiting each other's countries, the release said, adding that both sides arrived at a common understanding on the steps to be taken in this direction.
The discussions also pertained to ensuring the well-being of Indian and Indonesian prisoners and facilitating mechanisms to ensure smooth and regular consular access.
Both delegations expressed confidence that their deliberations would make a positive contribution in further strengthening the multi-dimensional people-to-people contacts and exchanges to the mutual benefit of both countries, it said, adding that they agreed to regularly convene the consular dialogue alternately in India and Indonesia.
The discussions, held in a "highly friendly and constructive spirit", covered wide ranging issues pertaining to consular, immigration, visas and related issues of mutual interest.
"Both sides agreed to take steps to further facilitate, expand and strengthen people-to-people contacts in diverse areas that underpin the CSP between the two countries," the release said.
In a tweet, responding to concerns raised by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Jaishankar said that the MEA is working for the release of the Indian sailors.
"TeamMEA is already working on the early release & repatriation of all 18 Indian crew members of Stena Impero. Our Embassy in Tehran is in constant contact with Iranian authorities to resolve this. We will keep you posted on further developments," he said.
The EAM tagged a tweet by the office of the Kerala Chief Minister, who said that four Malayalis were on board the oil tanker.
"Media reports have indicated that the crew of the British tanker seized by Iran includes 4 Malayalis. Following this, CM Pinarayi Vijayan has contacted the Union Government. He has also sent a message to Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, the Minister of External Affairs GoI," said the tweet by the Kerala Chief Minister's office.
Eighteen Indians, including the ship's captain, are among the 23 crew members of the British-flagged Stena Impero seized by Iran's Revolutionary Guard forces in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday.
On Saturday, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar had said that further details of the incident are being ascertained. "Our Mission is in touch with the Government of Iran to secure the early release and repatriation of Indian nationals."
On Sunday, the Kerala Chief Minister had urged the Centre to make all efforts to secure the release of the Indian nationals.
In a letter to the External Affairs Minister, he asked the ministry to share the details of the persons aboard the ship so that their families could be helped.