India has issued one of its strongest statements yet on the escalating maritime conflict in West Asia, demanding that attacks on commercial vessels “must cease and end immediately” after multiple incidents involving ships carrying Indian crew. The response came hours after three Indian sailors were killed in a US strike on a vessel, followed by a second emergency in which Indian nationals had to be rescued from a burning tanker off the coast of Oman.
The Ministry of External Affairs summoned Jason Meeks, the US Chargé d’Affaires in New Delhi, to convey India’s “deep concern” and register a formal protest. Senior MEA official Nagaraj Naidu led the meeting, stressing that the safety of Indian seafarers is a matter of “highest priority” for the government.
India confirmed that the tanker MT Jalveer suffered a major fire near Oman, with dramatic images showing smoke billowing from the vessel. The Indian Embassy in Muscat coordinated with the Omani Navy to evacuate the crew, several of whom were Indian nationals. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
The MEA said it was closely monitoring the situation amid a surge in maritime incidents linked to the broader regional conflict. It warned that repeated attacks on shipping lanes threaten global trade and violate international norms governing safe passage.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) defended its recent actions, stating on X that American forces had disabled an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman after it allegedly violated a naval blockade. India responded by reiterating that targeting commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure is unacceptable, calling for free and unimpeded navigation through international waterways.
With two attacks in three days affecting Indian crew members, New Delhi is expected to intensify diplomatic pressure on all parties involved.