New Delhi: India on Wednesday condemned the US attack on a tanker that left three Indian crew members missing in the waters off the coast of Oman and summoned the top US diplomat in New Delhi to register a strong protest over the incident that came two days after another US attack on a tanker with an entirely Indian crew.
A statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemning Wednesday’s attack did not say who was behind the attack, although people familiar with the matter confirmed that US forces targeted the Palau-flagged tanker Sitipilo for trying to evade the US blockade of Iranian ports.
US Charge d’Affaires Jason Meeks was summoned to the Ministry of External Affairs by Additional Secretary (Americas) Nagaraj Naidu to lodge a strong protest, said the sources, requesting anonymity. They added that the Indian side made it clear that attacks that endanger the lives of Indian sailors are unacceptable.
The statement read, “We condemn the attack on the merchant ship Sitipilo off the coast of Oman earlier today. Of the 24 Indian crew members on board, 21 Indians have been rescued so far, and three Indians are reported missing.”
The Indian Embassy in Oman is monitoring the situation and “proactively coordinating with the Omani authorities in the ongoing search and rescue operation.”
The Settebello, which was sailing from Lianyungang port in China to Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates, had a crew of 28, including 24 Indians, two Pakistanis, a Russian and a Ukrainian, the people cited above said. They added that the Omani Armed Forces rescued 21 Indian crew members.
The Settebello ship reported an engine room fire 20 nautical miles northeast of the Omani port of Sohar, UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said on its website. British maritime risk management group Vanguard reported that Citybello sent a distress call about being hit by a missile that caused a fire, and that the Omani Navy responded to the tanker’s call.
The sources said that unlike the attack launched by US forces on Monday on the Palau-flagged tanker MT Marifix, New Delhi decided to condemn Wednesday’s attack because it led to the disappearance of three Indian crew members. The US Chargé d’Affaires was summoned while Ambassador Sergio Gore was on a visit to Kazakhstan.
The 24 Indians on board the ship Marivex, which was sanctioned by the United States, were also rescued by the Omani army. US Central Command said it disabled the Marivex missile after it “violated the ongoing blockade against Iran.”
The Ministry of External Affairs described the ongoing attacks on shipping in the region as “deeply concerning and a direct result of the ongoing conflict” in West Asia, and reiterated India’s call for a negotiated end to hostilities between Iran and the United States.
The statement said: “We reiterate our call for an immediate de-escalation of tensions and the conclusion of the ongoing negotiations to reach a diplomatic solution so that peace and stability return to the region.” “The targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the region must end, and free and unhindered navigation and trade through the region’s international waterways must be restored in line with international law as soon as possible.”
The United States began a blockade of Iranian ports on April 13 after Tehran prevented the passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz. US Central Command reported on June 8 that US forces disabled seven non-compliant ships, redirected 134 other ships, and allowed 42 ships supporting humanitarian aid to pass.
Ten Indians have died in West Asia since the conflict began in February, including three sailors killed in attacks on merchant ships in the early days of hostilities.
