New Delhi: India has strongly condemned an attack on an Indian flagged commercial vessel off the coast of Oman, describing the incident as “unacceptable” amid rising security concerns in the Strait of Hormuz region.
The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that all 14 crew members aboard the vessel were rescued safely after the ship came under attack on Wednesday. The identity of those responsible for the strike has not yet been established.
According to officials, the vessel had been sailing from Somalia when it was struck, triggering a fire that eventually caused the ship to sink. Oman’s Coast Guard carried out a rescue operation and brought the crew members safely to Diba port.
Reacting to the incident, the Ministry of External Affairs said attacks on commercial shipping and civilian sailors were deeply concerning and should not be tolerated. The ministry also stressed the importance of protecting freedom of navigation and ensuring safe movement of commercial vessels through international waters.
India thanked the Omani authorities for their swift rescue efforts and reiterated that innocent civilian crew members and commercial shipping routes must not become targets during ongoing regional tensions.
The latest strike comes against the backdrop of growing instability in the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically crucial maritime route for global oil shipments and trade. The region has witnessed heightened security threats since the outbreak of conflict between the United States and Iran earlier this year.
Officials indicated that this is at least the third attack involving Indian flagged vessels since tensions escalated in the Gulf region. The repeated targeting of commercial ships has increased concerns over maritime safety and the impact such incidents could have on global trade and energy supplies.
The incident is likely to add further urgency to international calls for de escalation and stronger protection of commercial shipping lanes in the region, particularly as global markets continue to remain sensitive to disruptions in the Gulf.
