New Delhi has summoned the US Charge d’Affaires in India over the attack on another commercial vessel carrying Indian sailors off the coast of Oman. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday (June 12) summoned US Charge d’Affaires Jason Meeks after the third attack on a vessel carrying Indian sailors in just four days. This is the second time in three days that New Delhi has expressed its displeasure.
India’s Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) has issued a new maritime security alert for around 18,000 Indian sailors operating in the Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman and adjacent waters, following a series of attacks on commercial vessels in the Gulf region. The US ambassador was summoned hours later.
The warning comes after three ships carrying Indian sailors were attacked recently, including one off the coast of Oman in which three Indian sailors were killed.
On June 8, an oil tanker named MT Merivex caught fire after being attacked. All 24 Indian sailors on board were safe.
The second attack took place on June 10 in the Gulf of Oman on the MT Settebello, which was carrying 24 Indian sailors. While 21 were rescued, three Indian sailors who were initially missing were later confirmed dead.
The third attack took place on Thursday. Another commercial vessel carrying Indian sailors was attacked off the coast of Oman, raising fresh concerns about shipping safety in the region. The third attack involved 20 Indian sailors on board the MT Jalvir.
According to Indian government figures, a total of 622 Indian sailors are currently serving on 13 Indian-flagged ships in the waters east and west of the Strait of Hormuz.
