India on Thursday strongly condemned the latest attacks on merchant vessels carrying Indian crew in the Gulf of Oman, following the deaths of three Indian seafarers who were initially reported missing after 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 security 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, stressing that the welfare of Indian crew members remained a top priority for the government.
"We attach the highest importance to the welfare and well-being of our seafaring community, and there is no need to re-emphasise this point," he added.
The remarks came a day after India lodged a strong protest with the United States over an attack on the Palau-flagged tanker Settebello off the coast of Oman. The strike resulted in the deaths of three Indian sailors, marking the first reported fatalities since the US launched its blockade on Iran-linked shipping in April.
According to the MEA, Indian authorities have been closely monitoring the situation and remain in touch with regional governments and maritime agencies. New Delhi has also summoned the US Chargé d'Affaires to convey its concerns over the attacks on commercial vessels carrying Indian crew members.
Jaiswal said the continuing attacks on shipping in the region were deeply worrying and called for an immediate end to such incidents. He reiterated India's position that dialogue and diplomacy were the only viable path to restoring peace and stability in the region.
The latest incident is part of a series of attacks on merchant vessels in the Gulf of Oman amid heightened tensions between the United States and Iran. Several ships carrying Indian crew have come under attack in recent days, raising concerns about the safety of one of the world's busiest maritime trade routes.
