India has strongly condemned the recent attack on an Indian-flagged commercial vessel, the MSV Haji Ali, off the coast of Oman. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) labeled the targeting of civilian shipping and mariners as “unacceptable,” confirming that all 14 crew members on board were safely rescued.
The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, May 13, saw the Indian dhow MSV Haji Ali, a mechanised sailing vessel en route from Somalia to Sharjah in the UAE, come under attack in Omani waters during the early hours. The strike caused a fire on board, leading to the vessel's eventual sinking.
Rescue Operations and Diplomatic Response
Following the attack, the Omani Coast Guard successfully rescued all 14 crew members. They were subsequently transported to Dibba port in Oman, where their safety was confirmed and necessary formalities with local authorities were completed.
The MEA stated, “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 is maintaining close coordination with Omani authorities, Indian mission officials, and relevant maritime agencies to address the aftermath of the incident.
Regional Security Concerns
This attack unfolds amidst a highly volatile security landscape in the Strait of Hormuz and the broader West Asia region. There have been several security incidents involving merchant vessels in recent months. India had previously expressed significant concern last month after two other Indian-flagged vessels were targeted while transiting the critical Strait of Hormuz.
Officials have confirmed that, apart from the MSV Haji Ali incident, no other cases involving Indian vessels or foreign vessels carrying Indian seafarers have been reported in the past 72 hours, assuring that all Indian seafarers in the region remain safe.