New Delhi, May 14: An Indian-flagged commercial ship was targeted off the Omani coast on Wednesday, prompting a sharp diplomatic response from New Delhi. On Thursday, the Ministry of External Affairs denounced the strike, asserting that the continued targeting of civilian mariners and commercial vessels is a deplorable trend that threatens international trade and navigation.
All Indian nationals serving as crew on the vessel were secured without injury. Federal officials credited the prompt response of the Omani government for the safe recovery of the sailors. “All Indian crew on board are safe and we thank the Omani authorities for rescuing them,” the MEA stated, while highlighting the unacceptable nature of the maritime assault.
The ministry affirmed that the freedom of navigation and the protection of commerce are paramount to regional stability. In its official communication, the MEA declared that targeting innocent civilian crews and impeding the movement of goods are practices that should be strictly avoided by all parties. The statement noted that the safety of mariners is a humanitarian concern that transcends political or tactical objectives.
While investigations into the source of the attack are ongoing, the Indian government maintained that such incidents show the vulnerabilities faced by the shipping industry in certain corridors. New Delhi reaffirmed its position that commercial vessels must be granted safe passage and that any actions endangering merchant shipping would be met with strong diplomatic opposition.
