India Lodges Strong Protest With U.S. Over Attacks on Ships Carrying Indian Mariners
New Delhi — India has lodged a strong protest with the United States over continuing attacks by U.S. naval forces on commercial vessels carrying Indian seafarers in the Gulf of Oman, calling the actions “unacceptable” and a threat to international maritime commerce.
The Ministry of External Affairs summoned U.S. Charge d’Affaires Jason Meeks on Friday to convey India’s concerns after a series of incidents involving foreign-flagged commercial vessels with Indian crew members.
“A strong protest was lodged with him regarding the continuing attacks by US 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,” the ministry said in a statement.
“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,” it added.
The ministry said Meeks was asked to convey India’s concerns to U.S. authorities and ensure that U.S. forces operating in the region take all necessary steps to prevent further loss of civilian life.
It was the second time in recent days that India summoned the U.S. official over attacks on commercial vessels in the Gulf of Oman. On Wednesday, India lodged a protest over recent attacks off the coast of Oman, including one involving the commercial ship Settebello, in which three Indian seafarers were killed.
The United States said Thursday that it is in “direct contact” with India on the matter.
“The Department of State is in direct contact with the Indian government regarding this matter,” a U.S. State Department official told IANS.
The MEA said the three ships involved in the incidents were foreign-flagged vessels.
At an inter-ministerial briefing Thursday on developments in West Asia, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the attacks came from the U.S. Navy stationed in the region.
“These attacks came from the US Navy that is stationed there. As you would have seen in the various reports as also in what was clarified through our statements and otherwise from this podium, the three ships that have been involved in the incidents are foreign flagged. Two of them Palau flagged, and the third one, which came under attack today, is Guinea flagged. They are not Indian owned ships, they are all foreign flagships. I also understand that two of them are OFAC sanctioned ships and one of them also is in the category of non-compliant ship,” Jaiswal said.
The Indian Embassy in Muscat said Thursday that all 20 Indian crew members on board MT Jalveer were rescued with support from Omani authorities.
Mukesh Mangal, additional secretary in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, said during the briefing that all 20 Indian seafarers on MT Jalveer were safe after the vessel came under attack off Shinas port in Oman.
On Wednesday, an attack was reported on Settebello off the coast of Oman. Of the 24 Indian crew members on board, 21 were rescued and three were killed.
The first incident involved MT Marivex on June 8, when a fire broke out aboard the vessel south of the Strait of Hormuz. The vessel was carrying 24 Indian seafarers. (Source: IANS)
