All crew members have been rescued by authorities in the incident, which happened off Oman’s coast
New Delhi has termed the recent attack on an Indian-flagged ship off Oman’s coast on Wednesday as “unacceptable.”
The incident occurred around 3:30 am as the ship was passing near Limah, off Oman’s northern coast, according to reports.
“We deplore the fact that commercial shipping and civilian mariners continue to be targeted,” India’s foreign ministry said on Thursday.
All Indian sailors on board have been rescued, the ministry noted.
New Delhi reiterated that targeting commercial shipping and endangering innocent civilian crew members, and “impeding freedom of navigation and commerce, should be avoided.”
The cargo vessel, Haji Ali, registered at Salaya Port in Devbhoomi Dwarka district in Gujarat, was reportedly heading to Sharjah from Somalia, and had 14 Indian crew members, India Today reported.
British maritime risk management group Vanguard has hinted about an explosion caused by a drone or missile strike on the vessel, which was ferrying livestock, Reuters reported. Indian officials have not confirmed any of these details about the attack.
At least two other Indian-flagged ships have been attacked since the US-Israel war on Iran began. India had flagged its “deep concern” over the incidents to the Iranian envoy to New Delhi in April.
Two India-bound ships carrying LPG crossed the Strait of Hormuz in the last 24 hours, The Times of India reported on Thursday, adding that 13 India-flagged ships are awaiting transit through the Strait.
The development has also brought the Middle East conflict and maritime security concerns into focus amid the ongoing summit of BRICS foreign ministers in New Delhi.
Iran and the UAE are among the countries attending the New Delhi summit. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi has urged BRICS member states to condemn the US and Israel’s “unlawful aggression” against Tehran.
India is chairing the foreign ministers’ meeting that is seen as setting the agenda for the BRICS leaders’ summit in September. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who is also attending the meeting, has said that BRICS can play a significant role in ending hostilities in the Middle East.
