NEW DELHI — India on Tuesday officially registered a strong protest against targeted missile strikes on commercial shipping vessels, characterising them as aggressive actions that explicitly jeopardise the unhindered and secure passage of maritime traffic across vital international sea lanes like the Strait of Hormuz. The decisive diplomatic action from the Ministry of External Affairs came shortly after South Block summoned the Iranian Embassy’s Deputy Chief of Mission, Mohammad Javad Hosseini, to the ministry headquarters in New Delhi. The formal intervention was prompted by an Iranian cruise missile assault on two merchant ships navigating the strategic West Asian waterway, which resulted in the death of an Indian seafarer and left multiple crew members wounded.
The ministry conveyed its deep concern over the sudden resumption of maritime strikes and the intensifying military friction across the West Asian region. Indian officials called for an immediate cessation of violence alongside a swift return to dialogue and diplomatic engagement to safeguard regional peace, safety, and stability. The government underlined that strikes directed at commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure must cease to ensure that unrestricted, free navigation and maritime trade can be restored in complete alignment with established international legal frameworks.
Detailing the severity of the maritime crisis, the ministry noted that India remains deeply concerned by the attacks launched against the UAE-flagged tankers MT Al Bahiyah and MT Mombasa. The targeted vessels were carrying an aggregate of 30 Indian sailors out of a total combined complement of 46 crew members. Providing specific casualty details, the ministry reported that out of the 12 Indian nationals serving aboard the MT Al Bahiyah, one individual tragically lost his life while another sustained physical injuries. Meanwhile, out of the 18 Indian nationals deployed on the MT Mombasa, nine crew members suffered injuries, with two individuals currently reported to be in serious condition.
The government extended its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased Indian national and wished a speedy recovery to all the wounded seafarers. Ministry officials confirmed that India’s diplomatic mission and consulate in the United Arab Emirates are monitoring the situation closely and remain in constant communication with the Emirati authorities to ensure the delivery of all possible assistance to the affected Indian crew members. The public summoning of the senior-most Iranian diplomat underscores growing concerns in New Delhi regarding the safety of Indian workforce components operating within increasingly volatile international trade corridors.
