India on Wednesday summoned the United States Chargé d’Affaires Jason Meeks to lodge a formal protest over an attack on a commercial vessel carrying Indian crew members off the coast of Oman, as tensions in West Asia continue to escalate and threaten international shipping routes.
The diplomatic démarche was conveyed by Nagaraj Naidu, Additional Secretary (Americas) in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), who raised India’s serious concerns over the incident in which a merchant vessel came under attack in waters near Oman.
The MEA confirmed that of the 24 Indian nationals on board the vessel Settebello, 21 have been rescued while three remain missing. Search and rescue operations are ongoing in coordination with Omani authorities.
“We condemn the attack on the commercial vessel Settebello off the coast of Oman, earlier today. Of the 24 Indian crew onboard, 21 Indians have been rescued thus far and three Indians are reportedly missing,” the ministry said.
The Indian Embassy in Oman is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating efforts with local agencies involved in the rescue operation, the MEA added.
According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the vessel reported a casualty and two missing persons after an incident that also led to a fire in its engine room. The circumstances surrounding the attack are still under investigation.
Expressing concern over repeated incidents targeting merchant shipping in the region, India said the deteriorating security environment was a direct consequence of ongoing conflict in West Asia.
“The continuing incidents of attacks on shipping in the region are deeply worrisome and a direct result of the ongoing conflict,” the MEA said, calling for immediate de-escalation and a diplomatic resolution.
India also stressed that commercial vessels and civilian infrastructure must not be targeted under any circumstances and urged restoration of safe and unimpeded navigation through international waterways in line with international law.
The incident comes amid heightened regional tensions and renewed hostilities in West Asia, raising fears of broader disruption to global maritime trade routes.
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