NewKerala.com

India Slams 'Unacceptable' Attack on Indian Ship Off Oman Coast

India has strongly condemned the attack on an Indian-flagged cargo vessel off the coast of Oman, calling it "unacceptable." The Gujarat-owned ship MSV Haji Ali sank after being struck by a drone or missile-like projectile on May 13. All 14 Indian crew members were safely rescued by Omani authorities. The incident comes amid heightened tensions in the region following US-Israel strikes against Iran and subsequent retaliation.

Key Points: India Condemns Attack on Indian Ship Off Oman Coast

  • India condemns attack on Indian-flagged cargo ship off Oman coast
  • All 14 Indian crew members rescued safely by Omani Coast Guard
  • Ship MSV Haji Ali struck by drone or missile-like projectile
  • Attack occurs amid heightened tensions in West Asia region
2 min read

'Unacceptable': India condemns attack on Indian-flagged ship off Oman coast

India condemns attack on Indian-flagged cargo ship MSV Haji Ali off Oman coast. All 14 Indian crew members safe after rescue by Omani authorities.

"The attack on an Indian-flagged ship off the coast of Oman yesterday is unacceptable, and we deplore the fact that commercial shipping and civilian mariners continue to be targeted. - Ministry of External Affairs"

New Delhi, May 14

The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday strongly condemned the attack on an Indian-flagged cargo vessel off the coast of Oman, describing the incident as "unacceptable" and expressing concern over continued attacks on commercial shipping and civilian mariners in the region.

According to reports, the Gujarat-owned cargo ship MSV Haji Ali sank after it was struck by what preliminary reports described as a drone or missile-like projectile on May 13 while sailing through Omani waters.

The vessel was travelling from Berbera Port in Somalia to Sharjah when the incident occurred.

In an official statement, the MEA said, "The attack on an Indian-flagged ship off the coast of Oman yesterday is unacceptable, and we deplore the fact that commercial shipping and civilian mariners continue to be targeted."

The Ministry also confirmed that all Indian crew members onboard the vessel were safe and thanked the Omani authorities for carrying out the rescue operation promptly.

"India reiterates that targeting commercial shipping and endangering innocent civilian crew members, or otherwise impeding freedom of navigation and commerce, should be avoided," the statement added.

Teams from the Oman Coast Guard launched a swift rescue operation and safely evacuated all 14 crew members despite the ship catching fire after the strike, according to several local media outlets.

The vessel reportedly became stranded off the Omani coast at around 3:30 a.m. (local time), according to the ship's owner, Sultan Ahmed Ansar, who is a resident of Dwarka in Gujarat.

The incident comes amid heightened tensions in the region and renewed concerns over the safety of international maritime routes and commercial vessels operating in West Asian waters.

The crisis in West Asia erupted following the US-Israel joint strikes against Iran on February 28. Iran's former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei was killed during these strikes.

Tehran retaliated with a series of attacks against Israel and US military bases in the Gulf nations. This triggered a wider crisis in the Gulf region as Iran announced blocking the Strait of Hormuz.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

V
Vikram M
Tragic incident. The Haji Ali was just a cargo ship doing honest trade. Why target civilian vessels? The Strait of Hormuz has become a powder keg ever since Iran blocked it. India should evacuate its citizens from the region and push for an immediate de-escalation through diplomatic channels.
P
Priya S
It's heartbreaking to see how ordinary Gujarati traders are bearing the brunt of international conflicts. The ship was from Dwarka—our own soil. The Omani rescue team did a commendable job, but how long can our mariners live in fear? Need urgent talks with Iran and Israel.
S
Sarah B
As someone who works in logistics, this kind of attack sends chills down the spine. The world depends on free navigation in the Gulf. If commercial shipping is targeted, global supply chains will collapse. India is right to condemn this—we must stand firm on international maritime law.
R
Rohit P
Respectfully, the MEA's statement sounds like standard boilerplate. 'Unacceptable'? We need concrete measures—naval escorts, diplomatic pressure, maybe even UN intervention. Our sailors are risking their lives daily. Zahir mein toh kuch karo yaar.
N
Nikhil C
The timing is suspicious—right after Iran blocked the Strait. This could be a deliberate provocation. India should not take sides but must protect its own. Kudos to the Omani Coast Guard for the swift rescue. Let's hope our government learns from this and beefs up security for Indian ships abroad.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50