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The government said it was coordinating with the Navy, Indian Missions abroad, friendly maritime administrations and other relevant stakeholders to protect Indian seafarers.
MV Settebello was attacked by US forces near Oman on Wednesday. (ANI)
The Indian government on Thursday said it was on the “highest alert” in the Gulf region and was monitoring developments in and around the Strait of Hormuz, the Gulf of Oman and adjoining maritime areas to safeguard Indian seafarers in the region, following a US missile strike that killed three Indian sailors.
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways said in a statement that it was closely coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian Navy, Indian Missions abroad, maritime administrations of friendly countries, shipping companies, seafarers’ welfare organisations and other relevant stakeholders to ensure timely support and assistance to Indian seafarers.
It highlighted the increasing risks faced by commercial shipping in the wake of recent security incidents involving merchant vessels operating in the region. The government has directed all agencies to remain on heightened alert and to be prepared to respond to any contingency related to Indian seafarers or maritime interests.
“The Government is closely monitoring the evolving situation in the Gulf region and remains fully committed to the safety, security and welfare of every Indian seafarer. All relevant ministries, agencies and missions abroad are working in close coordination to ensure timely support and assistance whenever required,” said Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.
All stakeholders have been directed to promptly report any incident involving Indian seafarers to the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) to facilitate immediate intervention and coordination, while dedicated communication channels and emergency response mechanisms are also in place for round-the-clock assistance.
Three Indian Seafarers Killed
The incident involved the Palau-flagged tanker MV Settebello, which was struck by a missile on June 10 while operating off Sohar in the Gulf of Oman. The Medium Range Tanker was carrying 28 crew members, including 24 Indian seafarers.
The government confirmed that three Indian seafarers were killed in the attack. India strongly condemned the incident, summoning US Chargé d’Affaires Jason Meeks and lodging a formal demarche. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) described the continuing attacks on shipping in the region as “deeply worrisome” and called for immediate de-escalation of tensions.
The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) also condemned the strike. IMO Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez called any action that endangers seafarers and civilian shipping “simply unacceptable” and urged a full and transparent investigation into the incident.
However, the US has maintained that its military carried out a “precision” strike on the tanker, alleging that the vessel was transporting Iranian oil and had failed to comply with instructions. The Iranian Foreign Ministry described the attack as an act of “armed robbery and state piracy” and urged the international community to hold Washington accountable for such strikes.
Three vessels carrying Indian seafarers have been struck by the US military operating in the region amid the ongoing war with Iran. The latest incident involved MT Jalveerwhich was carrying 20 Indian seafarers. The US military fired two Hellfire missiles into the engine room, claiming it violated a blockade of Iranian ports and refused to comply with its directions.
About the Author
Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master’s in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in int…Read More
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