On Tuesday, India strongly condemned the attacks that targeted two commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz, which resulted in the death of an Indian sailor and the injury of 10 others, describing them as “acts of violence” that threaten safe navigation through international waterways.
In a strongly worded statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said it was “deeply concerned” about the attacks on Jebel Bahia and MT Mombasa, which had 30 Indian nationals on board among their 46 crew.
The government added that 12 Indians were on board the Bahia ship, where “one of them tragically lost his life and another was injured.” At Mount Mombasa, which had an Indian crew of 18, nine Indians were injured, including two who were reported to be seriously injured.
The ministry said: “We offer our sincere condolences to the family of the deceased Indian citizen and wish a speedy recovery to the injured.”
These statements came after the Middle East Airlines summoned the Deputy Chief of Mission of the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi and lodged a strong protest against the attacks on the ships.
The Ministry also expressed its deep sadness over the death of the sailor, offered its “deepest condolences” to the family of the victims, and wished a speedy recovery for those injured in the attacks.
Fears of disrupting maritime trade
New Delhi also stressed the need not to target commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure, warning that such attacks threaten maritime trade and global trade.
“In particular, the targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the region must stop so that free and unhindered navigation and trade across the region’s international waterways can be restored, in line with international law, as soon as possible,” the government said.
This concern comes as the safety of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s busiest sea lanes through which a large share of global oil and gas shipments passes, is once again at risk due to renewed hostilities between Tehran and Washington, DC.
The government also expressed its concern about the renewed escalation. The statement added, “We also reiterate our deep concern about the resumption of attacks and the escalation of hostilities in the West Asia region, and we call for an immediate cessation of violence and a return to dialogue and diplomacy in a way that serves peace, security and stability in the region.”
