A file image shows MVS Haji ALi vessel. PHOTO: marinetraffic.com
New Delhi condemned an attack that sank an Indian-flagged vessel transiting through Omani waters as “unacceptable” on Thursday and said commercial ships should not be targeted amid the US-Israeli war with Iran.
The attack on the dhow — a wooden vessel — occurred while it was sailing from Somalia to the United Arab Emirates in the early hours of Wednesday, causing a fire on board that eventually led to the ship sinking, New Delhi said.
All 14 crew members were rescued by the Omani coast guard and taken to Diba port, India added.
India did not specify the nature of the attack or identify who was responsible. However, British maritime risk management group Vanguard said the explosion was believed to have been caused by a drone or missile strike. The vessel was carrying livestock cargo, Vanguard 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,” India’s foreign ministry said in a statement.
“India reiterates that targeting commercial shipping and endangering innocent civilian crew members, or otherwise impeding freedom of navigation and commerce, should be avoided,” it added.
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The vessel last reported its position off the coast of Muscat on May 11, according to ship-tracking data on the MarineTraffic platform. Its operators could not immediately be reached for comment.
At least two other Indian-flagged ships have been attacked since the US-Israeli war with Iran erupted on February 28. India last month summoned Iran’s envoy to New Delhi and expressed its “deep concern” over the incidents.
The Iran war has sharply increased risks for commercial shipping in the Gulf, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz — a critical global energy transit route — with multiple vessels attacked or damaged since the conflict began.
The latest Indian statement came as foreign ministers of the BRICS grouping, including Iran, gathered in New Delhi for their annual meeting under the shadow of the conflict, testing the bloc’s ability to reach a unified position and issue a joint statement.
