The Crossbill Team
India on Friday (June 12) lodged a strong protest with the United States for the second time in less than two days over attacks on commercial vessels in the Gulf of Oman, amid growing concerns about the safety of Indian seafarers navigating the Strait of Hormuz.
The latest diplomatic move followed a missile strike by US forces on MT Jalveer, a Guinea-Bissau-flagged tanker near the Oman coast on Thursday, the third such incident in the region in four days. All 22 Indian crew members aboard the vessel were evacuated safely after the attack.
US Chargé d’Affaires Jason Meeks was summoned to the Ministry of External Affairs on Friday afternoon, where Additional Secretary (Americas) Nagaraj Naidu conveyed India's concerns regarding the safety of Indian nationals aboard ships operating in the region.
In a statement, the MEA said, “A strong protest was lodged with him regarding the continuing attacks by U.S. naval forces on commercial vessels carrying Indian mariners in the Gulf of Oman, which have already resulted in the tragic and avoidable loss of three Indian lives.”
It added, “The Ministry once again conveyed its deep concern over the use of lethal and deadly force against civilian shipping. Such actions are unacceptable and undermine the safety, security and stability of international maritime commerce in a sensitive region at a difficult time.”
The statement further said, “The U.S. Chargé d’Affaires was requested to convey India’s strong concerns to his authorities and to ensure that U.S. forces operating in the region take all necessary measures to prevent the loss of civilian life."
Friday's summons came just two days after New Delhi had called in a senior US diplomat following another attack off the coast of Oman. In that incident involving the vessel Settebello, 21 of the 24 Indian crew members were rescued, while three others lost their lives.
The latest strike occurred on the same day that Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed the deaths of the three Indian sailors who had been reported missing after the attack on MT Settebello.
Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in Muscat said the evacuation of the crew of MT Jalveer to Shinas port was carried out with assistance from the Royal Navy of Oman and confirmed that all 22 Indian seafarers had been brought safely ashore.
The successive attacks have heightened anxieties over maritime security in one of the world's most critical shipping corridors, prompting India to press Washington for greater safeguards for civilian vessels and crews operating in the region.
The latest diplomatic move followed a missile strike by US forces on MT Jalveer, a Guinea-Bissau-flagged tanker near the Oman coast on Thursday, the third such incident in the region in four days. All 22 Indian crew members aboard the vessel were evacuated safely after the attack.
US Chargé d’Affaires Jason Meeks was summoned to the Ministry of External Affairs on Friday afternoon, where Additional Secretary (Americas) Nagaraj Naidu conveyed India's concerns regarding the safety of Indian nationals aboard ships operating in the region.
In a statement, the MEA said, “A strong protest was lodged with him regarding the continuing attacks by U.S. naval forces on commercial vessels carrying Indian mariners in the Gulf of Oman, which have already resulted in the tragic and avoidable loss of three Indian lives.”
It added, “The Ministry once again conveyed its deep concern over the use of lethal and deadly force against civilian shipping. Such actions are unacceptable and undermine the safety, security and stability of international maritime commerce in a sensitive region at a difficult time.”
The statement further said, “The U.S. Chargé d’Affaires was requested to convey India’s strong concerns to his authorities and to ensure that U.S. forces operating in the region take all necessary measures to prevent the loss of civilian life."
Friday's summons came just two days after New Delhi had called in a senior US diplomat following another attack off the coast of Oman. In that incident involving the vessel Settebello, 21 of the 24 Indian crew members were rescued, while three others lost their lives.
The latest strike occurred on the same day that Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed the deaths of the three Indian sailors who had been reported missing after the attack on MT Settebello.
Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in Muscat said the evacuation of the crew of MT Jalveer to Shinas port was carried out with assistance from the Royal Navy of Oman and confirmed that all 22 Indian seafarers had been brought safely ashore.
The successive attacks have heightened anxieties over maritime security in one of the world's most critical shipping corridors, prompting India to press Washington for greater safeguards for civilian vessels and crews operating in the region.
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