New Delhi, May 14: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a strong statement on Thursday condemning an attack on an Indian-flagged merchant vessel off the coast of Oman. While the identity of those responsible for the Wednesday strike remains unknown, federal officials characterized the incident as a violation of international maritime norms and a direct threat to civilian mariners.
Government representatives confirmed that all Indian crew members on board the vessel were unharmed during the incident. The MEA expressed gratitude to the Omani authorities for their swift intervention and successful rescue of the personnel involved. “The attack on an Indian-flagged ship off the coast of Oman yesterday is unacceptable and we deplore the fact that commercial shipping and civilian mariners continue to be targeted,” the ministry stated in its official briefing.
The incident has raised fresh concerns regarding the safety of trade routes in the region. The MEA maintained that the targeting of commercial shipping and the endangerment of innocent crews are actions that must be stopped to ensure the stability of global commerce. Officials affirmed that India remains committed to the principle of freedom of navigation and called for an end to activities that impede maritime transit.
New Delhi reiterated its stance that civilian shipping should remain insulated from regional conflicts or targeted strikes. The ministry noted that such events not only risk human lives but also disrupt essential economic channels. The government stated that it would continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure the safety of Indian maritime interests abroad.
