NEW DELHI, Oct. 12 -- India has strongly condemned attacks on two commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz region that left two Indian seafarers missing, calling for an immediate cessation of strikes on merchant ships, civilian infrastructure and maritime personnel amid escalating tensions in West Asia.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Sunday that the Nicaragua-flagged tanker MT Petro Dolphin was reportedly struck by a drone near Sohar Anchorage in Oman on October 11. Of the 11 Indian seafarers aboard, nine were rescued and reported safe, while two remained missing. In a separate incident, the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker MT Valthera was hit by an unidentified projectile, triggering a fire onboard. All 11 Indian crew members aboard the second vessel were reported safe.
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said search-and-rescue operations were underway to locate the two missing Indians, with the local Coast Guard leading the efforts. The Indian Embassy in Muscat was coordinating with Omani authorities and the respective ship management companies to assist the affected crew members and support rescue operations. The Forward Seamen's Union of India on Monday identified the two missing seafarers as Bir Bahadur Yadav and Amit Singh and sought an urgent update on their whereabouts. The union also called for assistance to their families and stronger measures to protect Indian maritime personnel operating in the region. The embassy said it was closely monitoring developments and maintaining continuous contact with the authorities concerned. There was no official confirmation of the missing sailors' whereabouts as of Monday morning.
India calls for de-escalation
In its statement, the MEA described the repeated attacks on commercial shipping as deeply concerning, warning that they could further aggravate an already volatile regional security situation.
"The safety and security of Indian seafarers remain a priority for the Government of India," the ministry said, reiterating its call for the conflict to be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. The ministry also stressed that freedom of navigation and the safe movement of commercial vessels through international waterways must be protected in accordance with international law. It said attacks on commercial ships, seafarers and civilian infrastructure must cease. The statement reflected New Delhi's growing concern over the exposure of Indian maritime workers to hostilities in one of the world's busiest shipping corridors.
The latest attacks followed another drone strike involving a vessel carrying Indian nationals on October 9. The Panama-flagged crude oil tanker MT Gem No. 2 was targeted at Sharjah Anchorage, with 22 Indian seafarers onboard. All were subsequently reported safe, according to Sonowal. The repeated incidents have raised concerns about the security of commercial vessels operating in the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz, particularly as the regional conflict continues to affect maritime activity. The Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, is a critical passage for international energy shipments. Disruption to commercial navigation through the waterway can affect global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies, shipping schedules and transportation costs.
Indian authorities have been monitoring the security situation in the region amid continuing threats from missiles, drones and other forms of maritime attack. The Directorate General of Shipping had earlier issued safety advisories for Indian seafarers and shipping stakeholders operating in the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz and adjoining waters. The advisories highlighted the risks posed by attacks on merchant vessels and called for heightened vigilance, improved reporting and closer coordination with maritime security authorities.
India has also supported international efforts to strengthen the safety of commercial shipping and seafarers. Along with Liberia, it launched the Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly to improve coordination among maritime stakeholders. With two Indian sailors still missing, the immediate focus remains on search-and-rescue operations off Oman. New Delhi has reiterated that the protection of civilian shipping and maritime personnel must remain a priority, even as the wider conflict threatens to further disrupt trade and navigation across the region.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.