NEW DELHI: India on Wednesday strongly protested a US attack on a commercial vessel in the Gulf of Oman that left three Indian crew members missing, while reiterating that the safety of seafarers and the protection of commercial shipping must remain a priority amid escalating regional tensions.
The vessel, the Palau-flagged Settebello, was carrying 24 Indian crew members when it was struck by precision munitions while transiting the Gulf of Oman. While 21 crew members have been rescued, search efforts are continuing for the three missing Indians.
According to sources, Ministry of External Affairs Additional Secretary (Americas) Nagaraj Naidu summoned US Charge d’Affaires Jason Meeks and delivered a formal diplomatic protest over the incident. The meeting, which lasted around 25 minutes, marked India’s second protest in recent days concerning attacks on vessels carrying large numbers of Indian nationals.
Officials pointed out that, unlike another vessel targeted earlier, Settebello was not listed under sanctions by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). During the meeting, India conveyed its concern over the continued targeting of commercial shipping and stressed that the lives and safety of seafarers must be protected.
The latest incident follows another attack on a Palau-flagged vessel carrying 24 Indian crew members earlier this month. In that case, all crew members were rescued with assistance from Omani authorities.
The Ministry of External Affairs described the continuing attacks on shipping in the region as deeply concerning and linked them to the broader conflict affecting maritime security in the Gulf.
“We reiterate our call for immediate de-escalation of tensions and the conclusion of ongoing negotiations for a diplomatic solution so that peace and stability can return to the region,” the ministry said in a statement.
India also emphasized that attacks on commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure must cease and called for the restoration of free and unhindered navigation through international waterways in accordance with international law.
The MEA said the Indian Embassy in Oman is closely monitoring developments and coordinating with local authorities involved in the ongoing search-and-rescue operation for the missing crew members.
Earlier this year, India had also lodged a protest with Iran following attacks on Indian-linked tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
Meanwhile, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said a US aircraft had fired precision munitions at the vessel’s engine room after the ship allegedly failed to comply with repeated instructions from American forces enforcing a maritime blockade in the region.
According to CENTCOM, since the blockade was introduced on April 13, US forces have disabled eight non-compliant vessels, redirected 134 ships, and allowed 42 vessels carrying humanitarian assistance to pass through.
The Settebello, a chemical and oil products tanker, reportedly suffered an engine-room fire about 20 nautical miles northeast of Oman’s port of Sohar, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). Omani authorities responded after receiving distress signals from the partially loaded vessel.
The incident has renewed concerns about the safety of commercial shipping and maritime personnel as tensions continue to rise across the Gulf region.
