India on Tuesday condemned an attack on an Indian-flagged commercial vessel off the coast of Oman that claimed the life of an Indian seafarer, while calling for an immediate reduction in regional tensions and a diplomatic resolution to the ongoing West Asian conflict.
The vessel, MSV AL JUSUFI, was struck by an unidentified aerial object near Limah, Oman, on Monday evening while carrying 14 Indian nationals. Thirteen crew members were rescued, while one seafarer succumbed to injuries sustained in the incident.
In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressed condolences over the death and said the Indian Embassy in Oman was coordinating with local authorities to arrange the early repatriation of the survivors and the deceased seafarer’s mortal remains.
The ministry also expressed concern over repeated attacks on commercial vessels in the region, stressing that civilian infrastructure and merchant shipping must remain protected.
India called for an end to such attacks and urged all sides to restore safe and unrestricted navigation and commercial movement through international waterways in accordance with international law.
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal had earlier confirmed the death in a post on X. He identified the deceased as Gandhar Nahim Ajij, a resident of Gujarat.
Sonowal said the Omani Coast Guard had rescued the 13 surviving crew members after the vessel was hit on November 2. He added that the ministry and the Indian Embassy were working with Omani authorities to provide assistance to the survivors and facilitate their return to India.
The incident comes amid continuing security concerns over commercial shipping in the Persian Gulf and the wider West Asian region, where attacks on vessels have raised concerns about maritime safety and freedom of navigation.
