New Delhi: Maritime tensions in the Gulf region escalated further after a commercial tanker carrying 20 Indian crew members came under attack near the coast of Oman, just hours after India formally protested an earlier strike that claimed the lives of three Indian sailors.
The latest incident involved the Guinea-Bissau-flagged oil tanker MT Jalveer, which was targeted by US forces during an operation in the Gulf of Oman. The Indian Embassy in Oman confirmed that all 20 Indian crew members were safely evacuated and no casualties were reported in the latest attack.
The strike comes amid growing concern over the safety of Indian seafarers working in conflict-prone waters. It marks the third incident in less than a week involving merchant vessels staffed by Indian sailors, highlighting the increasing risks faced by commercial shipping in the region.
According to US Central Command, the vessel was intercepted after allegedly attempting to transport Iranian oil in violation of restrictions imposed by Washington. The military stated that the ship failed to respond to repeated warnings, following which missiles were fired to disable its engine room.
The development follows India’s diplomatic protest over an earlier attack on another merchant vessel off Oman in which three Indian crew members lost their lives. New Delhi had summoned the US Chargé d’Affaires and conveyed its strong concerns over the incident, stressing the need to safeguard civilian shipping and maritime personnel.
Representatives of seafarers’ organisations have questioned whether military action was necessary, arguing that authorities could have detained the vessels instead of resorting to force. They also expressed concern over the repeated targeting of ships employing Indian nationals.
Political reactions have also emerged, with opposition parties urging the government to take a stronger stand to protect Indian citizens working overseas. The Ministry of External Affairs reiterated that the safety and welfare of Indian seafarers remain a top priority and confirmed that concerns have been raised directly with the American side.
Officials from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways revealed that more than 18,000 Indian seafarers are currently deployed across the Gulf region, including hundreds aboard Indian-flagged vessels navigating sensitive maritime routes.
As geopolitical tensions continue to affect one of the world’s busiest shipping corridors, the latest incident has intensified calls for greater protection of commercial vessels and their multinational crews to prevent further loss of civilian lives.
