India has lost 22 nationals, including 14 seafarers, in the ongoing West Asia conflict over the past eight months, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. The government remains in close contact with the Indian community in the region to support their safety and well-being.
Speaking at an MEA press briefing, Jaiswal expressed concern over the continuing hostilities and said Indian authorities were making efforts to assist nationals affected by the conflict.
The conflict escalated on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran. Tehran retaliated by targeting US bases across the Gulf and restricting maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical international shipping route.
Indian Seafarers Killed in Maritime Attacks
Several Indian seafarers have been killed, injured or reported missing in attacks involving merchant vessels since the conflict began. Many were serving aboard foreign-flagged ships operating in the region.
The first reported Indian casualty occurred on March 1, when the Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker MKD Vyom was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, killing one Indian crew member.
Another incident that day involved the Palau-flagged tanker Skylight near Oman’s Musandam Peninsula, where two Indian sailors were reportedly killed.
On May 8, an Indian sailor died after a wooden dhow carrying Indian crew members caught fire near the Strait of Hormuz.
On June 9, three Indian seafarers were killed when the United States struck the Palau-flagged oil tanker MT Settebello off Oman’s coast. The deceased were identified as Aditya Sharma, a cadet; Shivanand Chaurashiya, a fitter; and Patnala Suresh, a chief engineer.
In July, an Indian sailor was killed when Iranian missiles struck two Emirati oil tankers, Mombasa and Al Bahiyah, while they were transiting the Strait of Hormuz in Omani waters. Eight crew members, including six Indians, were reportedly injured. India subsequently summoned Iran’s deputy chief of mission, Mohammad Javad Hosseini, to convey its concerns over the incident.
Indian Crew Members Rescued, Others Reported Missing
The MEA also reported rescue operations involving Indian nationals aboard merchant vessels targeted in separate maritime incidents.
On July 12, ten Indian nationals were rescued after the Cyprus-flagged merchant vessel GFS Galaxy came under attack off Oman’s coast. One Indian sailor remained missing at the time of the statement.
In September, the MEA said 13 of the 14 Indian nationals aboard the Panama-flagged vessel MT El Gaia had been rescued following an attack off Oman. One seafarer remained missing, with search operations continuing at the time.
India has called for the protection of commercial shipping and the restoration of safe navigation through international waterways.
Government Steps Up Assistance for Seafarers
The Indian government has been coordinating with shipping companies, vessel operators and diplomatic missions to monitor developments and provide assistance to affected crew members and their families.
On February 28, the Directorate General of Shipping issued a safety advisory urging Indian-flagged vessels and Indian seafarers to exercise caution amid escalating hostilities around Iran, the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf.
The government has also maintained round-the-clock control rooms to coordinate assistance and facilitate communication with seafarers and their families.
India Seeks to Strengthen Ties With Israel
Separately, Jaiswal said India would continue efforts to strengthen its bilateral relationship with Israel amid uncertainty surrounding the country’s election results.
He described relations between the two countries as strong and said New Delhi would work to deepen cooperation in the coming days. He added that the implications of the election results would become clearer once the outcome was established.
India and Israel cooperate across several sectors, including defence, trade, agriculture and technology.
