India on Thursday condemned the recent attacks on commercial ships carrying Indian crew in the Gulf of Oman. This came after the killing of three Indian sailors who were initially reported missing after a US raid on an oil tanker off the Omani coast.
“We have witnessed several incidents involving Indian sailors in West Asia over the past few days.” Foreign Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal said in a press conference: He said that New Delhi is deeply concerned about the safety of Indian sailors amid tensions in West Asia.
“We attach utmost importance to the well-being of our seafaring community, and there is no need to reiterate this point,” he said.
Read also | India summons US diplomat over attack on oil tanker off Oman
Referring to the attack on the Palau-flagged tanker MT Setibelo, Jaiswal said India had already conveyed its strong protest to the United States.
“Yesterday we condemned the attack that took place on a ship off the coast of Oman, which unfortunately led to the death of three Indian citizens. We have summoned The American Chargé d’Affaires registers a strong protest. The ongoing attacks on ships in the region are of deep concern and are a direct result of the conflict there. “These attacks must stop, and we reiterate our call for dialogue and diplomacy to ensure an early return to peace and stability in the region,” Jaiswal said.
Gulliver attacked
Hours before the MEA briefing, reports emerged of The attack on the Guinea-Bissau-flagged tanker Gulliver off the Omani port of Shinas was revealed. US forces bombed Gulliver on Thursday. It was hit by two missiles in its engine room. People familiar with the matter said the ship visited two Iranian ports after the United States imposed a blockade and participated in ship-to-ship transfers.
All crew members were reported safe, but the incident was the third attack on a ship carrying Indian sailors this week.
The Indian Embassy in Amman said it was closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with local authorities.
3 Indian sailors killed in an American attack
On Thursday morning, Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed this Three Indian crew members who were reported missing after the attack on MT Settebello were killed.
Describing the deaths as a “huge loss to our marine family”, Sonowal said the government “stands firmly with the bereaved during this difficult hour and is fully committed to supporting their relatives”.
Read also | Three Indian sailors killed in attack on US oil tanker near Amman: Government
MT The Sitipilo, which was carrying 24 Indians, was attacked by US forces in the Gulf of Oman on Wednesday. According to the government, 21 Indian crew members were rescued. Sonowal said he had instructed officials to ensure immediate repatriation of the rescued crew members and speedy return of the bodies of the deceased.
The third attack in three days
Earlier this week, US forces bombed the empty oil tanker MT Marivex, which is suspected of involvement in Iranian oil trade. All 24 Indian crew members on board the ship were rescued by the Omani authorities.
According to US Central Command, US forces have so far disabled eight ships and redirected 134 ships as part of law enforcement operations in the region.
(With inputs from Razaul H. Laskar)
