The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) called in US Charge d’Affaires Jason Meeks once more to express India’s objection to the recent assaults on commercial ships near Oman, resulting in the deaths of three Indian sailors. The attacks, including one on the Settebello ship off the Oman coast, prompted India to voice its deep concerns over the ongoing assaults in the region. India emphasized the need for an immediate cessation of these attacks on commercial vessels and marine personnel.
The United States confirmed direct communication with India regarding the matter, following India’s strong protest over the incidents. A US State Department official assured that Washington is actively engaging with the Indian government on this issue. India reiterated the significance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open for global maritime traffic, emphasizing that the recent incidents involved foreign-flagged vessels, not Indian-owned ships.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal clarified that the vessels involved in the attacks were foreign-flagged, with two being Palau-flagged and the third from Guinea. These ships were noted to have different compliance statuses, with some falling under OFAC sanctions. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy transit route, has witnessed heightened tensions and military activities, impacting maritime security in the region.
India, home to a large seafaring workforce, has been actively monitoring maritime security, especially in conflict-prone areas like the Gulf. With thousands of Indian nationals working on merchant ships in international waters, New Delhi consistently raises concerns over threats to commercial shipping lanes.
