The Centre is working with multiple stakeholders to ensure safety for Indian seafarers amid escalating maritime security concerns following recent attacks. Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal announced on Thursday that the government is coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Indian Navy, Indian missions abroad, maritime administrations of friendly countries, shipping companies, seafarers' welfare organisations and other relevant stakeholders to provide timely assistance and support. According to the ministry, 'All relevant ministries, agencies and missions abroad are working in close coordination to ensure timely support and assistance whenever required'. The maritime regulator Directorate General of Shipping has advised all Indian seafarers serving on board Indian and foreign-flagged vessels transiting through conflict-affected waters to exercise the highest degree of caution and vigilance. The latest development sees DG Shipping advising maritime recruitment and placement agencies to restrict deployment of Indian seafarers to conflict areas until further orders, with masters of vessels operating in Gulf region advised to maintain heightened security awareness. 'Vessel operators, ship managers and shipping companies have also been advised to adhere strictly to prevailing maritime security protocols, maintain enhanced situational awareness and continuously monitor advisories issued by the Government of India and competent international authorities', according to the ministry.
India has officially lodged a formal protest with the United States over the attack on the MT Settebello, which left three Indian crew members missing and resulted in the death of three Indian nationals. According to Business Standard, MEA Additional Secretary (Americas) Nagaraj Naidu summoned US Charge d'Affaires Jason Meeks and delivered a formal demarche protesting what was the second attack in the past three days by US forces on a shipping vessel with many Indian crew members on board. The extended meeting that started at 8:45 pm and lasted for almost 25 minutes focused on the incident, with Naidu emphasizing that the targeted vessel, Settebello, is not blacklisted by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control, unlike the previous vessel that was attacked. In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs described the incident as 'deeply worrisome' and said it was 'a direct result of the ongoing conflict in the region'. The MEA has now called for 'immediate de-escalation of tensions and the conclusion of ongoing negotiations for a diplomatic solution so that peace and stability can return to the region'. Latest reports confirm that Randhir Jaiswal, the official spokesperson for the Indian Foreign Ministry, said that all three vessels were attacked by America during his press briefing.
India has expressed serious concern over a series of attacks on commercial vessels carrying Indian crew members in the Gulf region, with three ships coming under attack since June 8 and three Indian sailors losing their lives in one of the incidents. According to Business Standard, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that three vessels with Indian sailors on board had been targeted over the past four days, with the latest incident involving MT Jalveer on June 11, where all 20 Indian seafarers on board were safely evacuated. The first incident occurred on June 8 when a fire broke out aboard the vessel Marivex, with all 24 Indian crew members on board safely rescued. The second and more serious attack took place on June 10 involving the vessel MT Settebello, where of the 24 Indian sailors on board, three lost their lives while the remaining 21 were safely evacuated. As confirmed by MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, 'We condemn the attack on the commercial vessel Settebello off the coast of Oman, earlier today. Of the 24 Indian crew onboard, 21 Indians have been rescued thus far and 3 Indians are reportedly missing.' The latest incidents have heightened concerns over maritime security in the region, particularly around the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of global oil supplies passes.
The government has implemented enhanced safety measures and coordination protocols following the recent attacks. 'Vessel operators, ship managers and shipping companies have also been advised to adhere strictly to prevailing maritime security protocols, maintain enhanced situational awareness and continuously monitor advisories issued by the Government of India and competent international authorities', according to the ministry. Stakeholders have been directed to promptly report any incident involving Indian seafarers to the Directorate General of Shipping to facilitate immediate intervention and coordination. 'Recent developments in the Gulf region, particularly in and around the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman, have resulted in multiple security incidents involving merchant vessels carrying Indian seafarers. Incidents involving MT Marivex, MT Settebello and MV Jalveer during the past few days have highlighted the increasing risks faced by commercial ships operating in the region,' a notice issued by DG Shipping stated. The latest development sees DG Shipping advising all RPSL companies and shipping companies to restrict deployment or send Indian seafarers to conflict areas until further orders, with companies permitted to carry out crew changes in emergency situations with crew member consent. After the vessel carrying 24 Indians was attacked, leading to the deaths of three Indian seafarers, efforts are being fast-tracked to repatriate the rescued crew members and ensure the dignified return of the mortal remains to their families at the earliest, the ministry confirmed. Currently, there are 13 Indian-flagged vessels operating in and around the Strait of Hormuz, with 562 Indian seafarers serving on these vessels, with officials saying more than 18,000 Indian seafarers remained in the Gulf region.
Addressing the media, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described the attacks as 'deeply worrisome' and called for an immediate end to violence against commercial shipping. As reported by Business Standard, he noted that India had already condemned the June 10 attack in which three Indian nationals lost their lives and had formally conveyed its concerns to the United States. 'We had summoned the U.S. Charge d'Affaires to register our protest,' Jaiswal confirmed, emphasizing that the attacks on ships must end immediately. The MEA has now called for 'immediate de-escalation of tensions and the conclusion of ongoing negotiations for a diplomatic solution so that peace and stability can return to the region'. The statement reiterated India's demand for 'free and unimpeded navigation and commerce' through international waterways, with the MEA emphasizing that 'the continuing incidents of attacks on shipping in the region are deeply worrisome and a direct result of the ongoing conflict in the region.' The Indian Embassy in Muscat is 'closely monitoring' an incident involving a vessel off Shinas port of Oman, as confirmed by the embassy's latest statement on X. The Congress has demanded the government should provide immediate assistance and adequate compensation to the families of the three sailors killed, stating that the PM cannot evade responsibility when his relationship with President Trump fails to protect Indian lives and interests.
