India on Monday condemned drone attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz region after two Indian seafarers went missing when the Nicaragua-flagged tanker MT Petro Dolphin was reportedly struck on Sunday. New Delhi warned that repeated attacks on commercial shipping risk further aggravating an already volatile situation in West Asia.
The external affairs ministry said MT Petro Dolphin had 11 Indian seafarers on board when it was reportedly hit by a drone in the Strait of Hormuz region. The Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI) identified the two missing crew members as Bir Bahadur Yadav and Amit Singh, and said the tanker was attacked at Sohar Anchorage in Oman.
The ministry also reported an attack on another vessel, the Marshall Islands-flagged MT Valthera. The tanker was struck by an unknown projectile on Sunday, triggering a fire on board. However, all 11 Indian seafarers aboard the vessel were reported to be safe.
Indian embassy coordinates rescue efforts
The Indian embassy in Muscat is monitoring developments and coordinating with Omani authorities and ship management companies to locate the missing seafarers and provide assistance to Indian crew members in the region.
Reiterating its concern over attacks on commercial shipping, the external affairs ministry said the safety and security of Indian seafarers remained a priority for the Indian government.
“The recurring attacks on commercial shipping in the region are deeply concerning and risk further aggravating an already volatile situation,” the ministry said.
India also called for immediate de-escalation and a resolution to the ongoing conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.
“Attacks on commercial vessels, seafarers and civilian infrastructure must cease,” the statement said, stressing that freedom of navigation and the safe, unimpeded movement of maritime commerce through international waterways must be upheld in accordance with international law.
Nine crew members rescued after drone strike
Union minister for ports, shipping and waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said nine of the 11 Indian seafarers aboard MT Petro Dolphin had been rescued and were safe, while the remaining two were still missing. Search-and-rescue operations were under way with the local Coast Guard, he said, adding that Indian authorities were coordinating with the relevant agencies to locate the missing crew members.
The attacks come amid escalating tensions in West Asia following the outbreak of conflict involving Israel, the United States and Iran in February. The violence has disrupted maritime security and heightened concerns over the safety of merchant vessels operating in the region.
Indian seafarers among casualties of West Asia conflict
Eleven seafarers are among the 18 Indians killed so far in the West Asia conflict, while several others have been reported missing following attacks on merchant vessels in the region.
India has more than 320,000 seafarers, making it the world's second-largest source of seafarers after the Philippines. More than 18,000 Indian seafarers are currently serving aboard vessels in West Asia, underscoring the scale of the country's exposure to the deteriorating maritime security situation.