India Summons Top US Diplomat Over Attack On Ship Carrying Indians Off Oman Coast
New Delhi: India has lodged a strong diplomatic protest with the United States after a commercial vessel carrying Indian crew members came under attack off the coast of Oman, leaving three Indian nationals missing. The incident has triggered concern in New Delhi and renewed fears over the safety of commercial shipping routes in the increasingly volatile Gulf region.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the vessel was carrying 24 Indian crew members when it was attacked near the Gulf of Oman. While rescue teams managed to save 21 sailors, three Indian seafarers remain unaccounted for. Indian authorities are closely monitoring the search and rescue operation being conducted in coordination with Omani officials.
In response to the incident, Additional Secretary (Americas) Nagaraj Naidu summoned US Chargé d’Affaires Jason Meeks in New Delhi and formally conveyed India’s strong concerns over the attack. The move highlights the seriousness with which India is treating the matter, particularly because Indian citizens were directly affected.
The MEA strongly condemned the strike, describing the continuing attacks on commercial shipping in the region as deeply worrying. The ministry stated that such incidents are a direct consequence of the escalating tensions in West Asia and called for immediate de-escalation to prevent further threats to civilian lives and international trade routes.
The vessel involved in the incident has been identified as the tanker Settebello. Reports indicate that the ship was struck while operating near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important maritime corridors for global energy supplies. The attack comes amid heightened military activity and rising geopolitical tensions across the region.
Indian officials emphasized that the safety of seafarers remains a top priority. The government said it is in constant touch with Omani authorities and is making every effort to gather information about the missing crew members. Families of the affected sailors are also being kept informed about developments.
The diplomatic protest marks one of the strongest responses by New Delhi in recent months regarding the security of Indian nationals working aboard commercial vessels in the Gulf. The incident has once again highlighted the risks faced by thousands of Indian seafarers who operate in conflict-prone maritime zones across the Middle East.
Experts believe that continued instability around the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz could have wider implications for global shipping and energy markets. India, which relies heavily on maritime trade and energy imports from the region, has repeatedly called for safe navigation and the protection of civilian vessels.
As search operations continue, attention remains focused on the fate of the three missing Indian crew members and the broader diplomatic fallout from the incident. New Delhi is expected to closely monitor the situation while pressing for accountability and stronger safeguards for commercial shipping in international waters.