Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Jun 11: India on Thursday strongly condemned the recent attacks on merchant vessels carrying Indian crew members in the Gulf of Oman, following the deaths of three Indian seafarers in a US strike on an oil tanker off the Omani coast.
Addressing a media briefing, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi was deeply concerned about the safety and welfare of Indian sailors amid escalating tensions in West Asia.
“We have seen several incidents involving Indian seafarers in West Asia over the last few days,” Jaiswal said, adding that India attaches the highest importance to the welfare and well-being of its seafaring community.
Referring to the attack on the Palau-flagged tanker MT Settebello, Jaiswal said India had conveyed its strong protest to the United States.
“Yesterday, we condemned the attack on a ship off the coast of Oman in which, unfortunately, three Indian nationals lost their lives. We had summoned the US Chargé d'Affaires to register a strong protest. The continuing attacks on shipping in the region are deeply worrisome and are a direct consequence of the ongoing conflict there. These attacks must cease, and we reiterate our call for dialogue and diplomacy to ensure an early return to peace and stability in the region,” he said.
Hours before the MEA briefing, another vessel came under attack off Oman’s Shinas port. The Guinea-Bissau-flagged tanker Jalveer was reportedly struck by US forces and hit by two missiles in its engine room. Sources familiar with the matter said the vessel had visited two Iranian ports after the US imposed a blockade and had also engaged in ship-to-ship transfers.
All crew members aboard Jalveer were reported safe. However, the incident marked the third attack this week on a vessel carrying Indian sailors.
The Indian Embassy in Oman said it was closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with local authorities.
Earlier in the day, Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed the deaths of three Indian crew members who had initially been reported missing after the attack on MT Settebello.
Describing the deaths as a “profound loss to our maritime family”, Sonowal said the government stood firmly with the bereaved families and was committed to supporting the next of kin.
The MT Settebello, carrying 24 Indian crew members, was attacked by US forces in the Gulf of Oman on Wednesday. Twenty-one crew members were rescued. Sonowal said he had directed officials to ensure the immediate repatriation of the rescued sailors and the swift return of the bodies of the deceased.
Earlier this week, US forces also struck MT Marivex, an empty tanker suspected of involvement in the Iranian oil trade. All 24 Indian crew members aboard that vessel were rescued by Omani authorities.
According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), American forces have disabled eight vessels and redirected 134 ships as part of enforcement operations linked to the ongoing conflict in the region.