New Delhi, Sept. 15 -- India on Tuesday reiterated the call for free and safe navigation in international waters and the unhindered flow of commerce through international waterways in the region after the Panama-flagged commercial vessel MT El Gaia came under attack off the coast of Oman, with 13 of the 14 Indian nationals on board rescued while search operations are underway for one missing seafarer.

Responding to a question from ANI during the biweekly press briefing in the national capital, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the attack involved a Panama-flagged vessel carrying 14 Indian nationals.

"Of these, 13 have been rescued, and we deeply thank the Omani authorities for their efforts in rescuing our n...