New Delhi: India on June 10, Wednesday summoned Jason Meeks, Chargé d’Affaires of the United States, to protest the attack on the commercial vessel by the US military projectile, off the coast of Oman. The oil tanker Settebello was carrying 24 Indian seafarers. The Ministry of External Affairs Additional Secretary(Americas) Nagaraj Naidu summoned the US Charge d’Affaires to protest the attack on the ship.
India reiterated its call for de-escalation, protection of commercial shipping and restoration of safe navigation in international waters. The oil tanker Settebello was sailing in the vicinity of the Strait of Hormuz. During the early hours of June 10(Wednesday) the commercial vessel was struck down by a US military projectile.
“US Navy attack, the missile on our engine room. We have a hole at the bottom… 24 crew. All crew Indian. Please help quickly, we need immediate help”, the emergency message from the crew members read seeking for immediate help. 21 crew members were safely evacuated and rescued, however 3 Indian seafarers went missing who are now confirmed as dead by the Ministry of Shipping.
Later the US Central Comman(US CENTCOM) acknowledged the precision launch of a fighter jet which was intended to block the Iranian ports. However, it hit the oil tanker that had 24 Indian seafarers onboard. Reacting to the strong diplomatic protest of India, the US State Department affirmed that it is in direct communication with the Government of India.
MEA lodges strong diplomatic protest against the US
Reacting to the attack on the vessel carrying Indian seafarers, the Ministry of External Affairs lodged strong diplomatic protest against US and said on Wednesday, “We condemn the attack on the commercial vessel Settebello off the coast of Oman, earlier today”. It further reiterated 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.
“We reiterate our call 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 targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the region must end and free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through the international waterways in the region in keeping with international law must be restored at the earliest”, the MEA statement further added.
India raises concern about West Asia crisis at the United Nations
India also voiced deep concern over the attacks on merchant shipping vessels in the Gulf region amid the ongoing conflict and urged for dialogue and diplomacy. New Delhi underlined the importance of West Asia for India as a proximate neighbour with critical stakes in security and stability of the region. The remarks were made by Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations at the UN Security Council Open Debate on “Maintenance of International Peace and Security: Advancing Political Solutions in the Middle East: Mediation and Dialogue for Lasting Peace”.
Re-emphasising India’s position on the recent developments in West Asia, Ambassador P Harish expressed condemned the attacks on merchant shipping vessels and said, “India is also firmly opposed to attacks on merchant shipping as many of our nationals are prominent in its global workforce. Many Indian nationals have lost their lives or are missing as a result of attacks against countries of the region and against merchant vessels and sea lanes of communication”.
Highlighting how there are almost ten million Indian citizens who live and work in the Gulf region, he reaffirmed that their safety and well-being are of utmost priority to India. “Our trade and energy supply chains are dependent on stability in the region and any major disruption has serious consequences for the Indian economy”, he said.
He asserted that India strongly reiterated its call for dialogue and diplomacy, avoiding impeding freedom of navigation and commerce, avoiding military targeting of commercial shipping, avoiding targeting of the civilian population and infrastructure and seeking an early end to the conflict and said that India expressed its support to all efforts aimed at peaceful resolution of issues.
He reiterated how India would like to stress that the people across West Asia deserve sustained peace and normalcy. “India stands fully ready to contribute towards realising this goal in order to secure peace, prosperity and well-being of the people of the region and beyond,” Ambassador Harish added.
(With Inputs from ANI)
