• Source:JND

India on Wednesday lodged a strong protest with the United States over the attack on a commercial vessel off the coast of Oman. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned Jason Meeks, Deputy Chief of Mission at Embassy New Delhi, following the incident involving the ship Settebello, which had 24 Indian crew members on board.

According to news agency ANI report, Nagaraj Naidu, Additional Secretary (Americas) in the MEA, summoned Meeks, the Chargé d' Affaires of the US. The action follows India’s earlier condemnation of the attack on the vessel Settebello. In an official statement, the MEA had confirmed that three Indian nationals remain missing, while 21 of the 24 crew members were rescued. 

India Condemns Attack On Vessel

The MEA further stressed that the continuing attacks on shipping in the region are deeply concerning and are a direct consequence of the ongoing conflict. India reiterated its call for an immediate de-escalation of tensions and urged all parties to support ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability.

"We condemn the attack on the commercial vessel Settebello off the coast of Oman, earlier today. Of the 24 Indian crew onboard, 21 Indians have been rescued thus far and 03 Indians are reportedly missing. Our Embassy in Oman is closely monitoring the situation and proactively coordinating with the Omani authorities in the ongoing Search and Rescue operation," the MEA noted.

 

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The condemnation came after a suspected US missile strike reportedly hit the tanker off the Omani coast. Reports suggested that the vessel may have been targetted during US operations aimed at blocking Iranian ports near the Strait of Hormuz. Accoridng to Reuters report, the tanker had 28 crew members on board, including 24 Indian sailors. US Central Command (US CENTCOM) has not yet commented on the incident.

According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the ship was a Palau-flagged chemical and oil products tanker. It had reported an engine room fire about 20 nautical miles northeast of Oman’s Sohar port. The vessel, identified as Settebello by maritime tracking sources, also sent a distress call that was responded to by the Omani Navy.

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