India Expresses Concern Over West Asia Shipping Attacks, Crew Evacuation Underway

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday expressed concern over continuing attacks on shipping in West Asia, calling them "deeply worrisome", as evacuation of Indian crew members from the vessel MT Jalveer commenced following a maritime security incident near Oman.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said recent incidents involving Indian seafarers in the region were a direct result of the ongoing conflict in West Asia and called for an end to attacks on commercial shipping.

"There have been several incidents involving Indian seafarers in West Asia in the last few days. We attach high importance to the welfare and well-being of our seafarers' community. We need not re-emphasise this point. Yesterday, we condemned the attack on a ship off the coast of Oman in which, unfortunately, we lost three Indian nationals. We had summoned the US CDA here to register a strong protest. The continuing incidents of attacks on shipping in the region are deeply worrisome and a direct result of the ongoing conflict in the region. These attacks must cease and end. We also call for dialogue and diplomacy so that we can have an early return to peace and stability in the region," Jaiswal said.

The comments came after a Guinea-Bissau-flagged bitumen tanker, MT Jalveer, was reportedly involved in a maritime security incident in the vicinity of Shinas port in Oman on June 11.

According to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, the vessel has 20 Indian seafarers on board and all of them are safe. No casualties or injuries have been reported.

Additional Secretary in the ministry, Mukesh Mangal, said evacuation of the crew to Shinas port had begun.

"On 11th June, a Guinea-Bissau-flagged vessel, a bitumen tanker MT Jalveer, was reportedly involved in a maritime security incident in the vicinity of Shinas port, Oman. The vessel has 20 Indian seafarers on board, and all of them are reported to be safe. No casualties or injuries have been reported. As per the latest information, the evacuation of crew members to Shinas port has commenced. Six more are to be evacuated. The Ministry is closely monitoring the situation and is in continuous coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian Missions abroad and the Indian Navy and other relevant stakeholders," Mangal said.

The latest incident comes a day after India condemned an attack on the Palau-flagged tanker MT Settebello off the coast of Oman.

Earlier on Thursday, Union Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed that all three Indian seafarers who had gone missing after a U.S. military strike on MT Settebello had died after two more bodies were recovered from the vessel.

India has lodged a protest with the United States over the strike and summoned the U.S. deputy chief of mission to convey its concerns.

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways said it is coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian missions abroad, the Indian Navy and other stakeholders while monitoring the situation involving MT Jalveer.